KENNETH GAINWELL
Running Back
Sometimes the raw numbers only tell part of the story.
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.
Kenneth Gainwell is the Steelers Digest Player of the Week.
Also considered were James Pierre, who started at CB for the injured Darius Slay and finished with 6 tackles, 2 passes defensed, and a fumble recovery that he returned 34 yards for a touchdown; Kyle Dugger, who had 3 tackles, 2 passes defensed, and an interception that he returned 73 yards for a touchdown; Nick Herbig, who had 2 tackles, a sack, and made the final block on Dugger's interception to get him into the end zone; Mason Rudolph, who played the second half after Aaron Rodgers was injured and completed 12-of-16 (75 percent) for 127 yards, with 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions, and a rating of 118.5; and Darnell Washington, who had 4 catches for 67 yards (16.8 average) including a 31-yarder during which he left a number of defenders in his wake.
