Steelers News
[the_ad id=”105847″]Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries in Sunday’s 24-21 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin.
Gainwell stepped into the starting role after Jaylen Warren was ruled inactive with a knee injury shortly before kickoff. Warren was listed as questionable throughout the week and was expected to play but did not feel right during Saturday’s practice. He became a late scratch from the contest at Croke Park.
Gainwell also caught all six of his targets for 35 yards. He scored from one yard out in the first quarter and added a four-yard touchdown run later in the game. He totaled 134 scrimmage yards and 25 touches for the veteran running back. This performance shouldn’t be overlooked. Expect a bidding war on your waiver wire this week. Good RBs that catch passes are hard to come by. It should also be noted that Aaron Rodgers is very picky about who he targets. If there’s a sense of trust between him and Gainwell, then this wasn’t a one-week fluke.
Game Recap
The Steelers led 24-6 entering the fourth quarter before Minnesota mounted a late comeback. Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz led two scoring drives in the final period, but Pittsburgh’s defense held on downs with the Vikings threatening late in the game.
Gainwell signed with the Steelers during the offseason after spending his first four seasons with Philadelphia. He has served as Warren’s primary backup through the first four weeks while also contributing on special teams. The 26-year-old entered Week 4 with limited offensive production but seized the opportunity when called upon.
Warren has been Pittsburgh’s leading rusher and receiver this season. He caught 11 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown through three games while rushing 43 times for 132 yards. The fourth-year back from Oklahoma State has logged heavy workloads in recent weeks after Najee Harris signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as a free agent this offseason.
The Steelers improved to 3-1 with the victory and enter their bye week before returning in Week 6. Pittsburgh will face the Cleveland Browns at home on October 12 following the break. Warren is expected to recover from the knee injury during the bye week and return as the primary ball carrier.
Rookie running back Kaleb Johnson saw limited action with six carries for 22 yards. The Iowa product received the most snaps and usage of his young career but remains behind both Gainwell and Warren on the depth chart. Trey Sermon was elevated from the practice squad for the second consecutive week but did not record any statistics.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 18 of 22 passes for 200 yards and one touchdown in the victory. DK Metcalf caught five passes for 126 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown that gave Pittsburgh a 14-3 lead in the second quarter. The Steelers defense sacked Wentz six times and intercepted him once while holding Minnesota to 21 points.
Pittsburgh held a significant advantage in fan support despite the neutral site designation. The Steelers will use the bye week to get healthy before beginning a stretch that includes multiple division matchups.
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