Kenneth

Gainwell

Gainwell doesn’t seem to be a major free-agent priority signing for anybody, but figures to do quite well for himself after putting up 73/486 through the air and amassing 1,000 yards from scrimmage. He figures to be a potential third-down back upgrade for several teams in free agency, though the Steelers remain a great fit for him as he slotted in well behind Jaylen Warren.

Gainwell enjoyed an increased role in Pittsburgh in 2025 as the primary change of pace and clear passing down option behind starter Jaylen Warren, handily setting career highs in rushing yards (537), total touchdowns (eight), receptions (73), and receiving yards (486), marking the first time in his career where he amassed more than 1,000 yards form scrimmage. He also handily returned value at a depressed ADP in fantasy drafts this offseason although his 2026 fantasy outlook remains murky after playing the 2025 season on a one-year, prove-it deal with the Steelers.

Gainwell was able to run in for a short touchdown that gave Pittsburgh a three point lead. Most of his contribution came in the passing game, however, as Aaron Rodgers dinked and dunked the football to the 26-year-old early and often. Gainwell will likely be featured heavily again next week in the passing game, even with DK Metcalf back in the Wild Card Round against the Texans next Monday.

Fantasy managers counting on Gainwell to deliver a championship were left disappointed by Sunday’s results. Gainwell’s three receptions marked his fewest since Week 13, and he was unable to get anything of note going on the ground. Gainwell appeared to be wide open for a walk-in touchdown on the Steelers’ final pass attempt, but was passed up for Marquez Valdes-Scantling on an end zone fade that was broken up. Gainwell should see plenty of involvement in next week’s game against the Ravens.

Gainwell took a backseat to Warren on the ground but was extremely productive through the air. He led the Steelers in all receiving categories and came down with one of the most absurd catches of the year. Gainwell was running down the sideline and was tackled by Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone well before the ball made it to him. Lying on the ground, Gainwell caught the ball, popped up, and sprinted into the end zone. Gainwell now has at least five catches in five of his past six games. As a committee back and a PPR machine, he will hold a spot in the RB3 ranks for Week 17 versus Cleveland.

Gainwell drew the start with Jaylen Warren battling an illness, although the two backs would share primary duties throughout. It was Gainwell that was the much more efficient back, gaining 126 total yards to the 48 yards of Warren on five more touches. The Pittsburgh backfield remains one of interest considering Arthur Smith is at the helm, with the biggest detractor being a typical timeshare between the top two options. Gainwell’s eruption in the first week of fantasy playoffs highlights the upside if one of the two sees more primary usage, making Warren’s status one to monitor in the coming week of practice.

Players typically play through any illness-related issues, but Warren’s addition to the injury report just hours before kickoff is concerning. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports Warren “woke up sick and is getting fluids” and that he is “optimistic” about playing on Monday night. His status will be one to watch for when inactives are announced 90 minutes before kickoff, but if he is unable to go, Kenneth Gainwell would be primed for a large role on Monday night against the Dolphins.

Warren’s eight carries led the Pittsburgh backfield, as Kenneth Gainwell had four rushes for 15 yards and a touchdown. Gainwell was second on the team with six targets, but it was Warren who had a 38-yard screen pass touchdown in the second half. Warren remains the nominal lead back for the run-first Steelers, but Gainwell’s route running involvement and his red zone usage puts a damper on Warren’s weekly upside. Warren, averaging 13.8 rushes per game, will be a top-24 running back next week against the Dolphins.

Gainwell continued operating as the Steelers’ primary pass-catching back, seeing the second-most targets among Pittsburgh players behind DK Metcalf. Gainwell ran a pass route on 19 of the team’s 36 drop backs while Jaylen Warren had 16 routes and four receptions on four targets, including a touchdown. Gainwell entered Week 14 as the seventh-most targeted running back in the NFL. Gainwell’s role in the Steelers offense has kept him viable in PPR formats. He should remain a flex play in 14-team formats next week against the Dolphins, who have been generous to pass catchers out of the backfield in 2025.

It’s not exactly news that old-school Tomlin desires a return to old-school, run-based, low-scoring football as a way to get the Steelers out of the rut they find themselves in headed into Week 14 against the Ravens. But a real commitment to a tough nosed, presumably run-heavy offensive approach should mean more touches for Jaylen Warren and perhaps Kenneth Gainwell. It might mean more involvement for Darnell Washington, who is very large and physical. The Steelers rank 18th in pass rate over expected this season, and inside the ten yard line they are the 12th pass-heaviest team. Both Warren and Gainwell should be fantasy viable if Tomlin is serious about a reestablishment of physicality.