Kenneth Gainwell has been named the Steelers Digest Player of the Week following his performance in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday. Gainwell, who plays running back, recorded 9 carries for 24 yards and caught 7 passes for 81 yards, totaling 105 yards from scrimmage. His contributions included two touchdowns and six first downs on his 16 touches. He also made a tackle on special teams.
Gainwell’s role became more significant after starting running back Jaylen Warren left the game in the third quarter due to injury and did not return.
“Sometimes the raw numbers only tell part of the story,” according to the announcement. “In the Steelers 34-12 victory over the Bengals on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, Kenneth Gainwell carried 9 times for 24 yards and he caught 7 passes for 81 yards for a modest total of 105 yards from scrimmage. But that modest total accounted for 2 touchdowns, and his 16 touches resulted in 6 first downs beyond his 2 touchdowns. Plus there was a tackle on special teams. And this in a game where starter Jaylen Warren was injured in the third quarter and did not return.”
Other players considered for this recognition included James Pierre, who started at cornerback for Darius Slay and had six tackles, two passes defensed, and returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown; Kyle Dugger, who recorded three tackles, two passes defensed, and returned an interception for a touchdown; Nick Herbig, who contributed with two tackles, a sack, and blocked during Dugger’s interception return; Mason Rudolph, who completed twelve of sixteen passes after Aaron Rodgers was injured; and Darnell Washington, who had four catches including a notable thirty-one yard gain.
