Gainwell has a tough matchup in Week 16 at Detroit, and the Lions are No. 1 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Along with that, Detroit is No. 5 in fewest receptions allowed to running backs, but I still like Gainwell as a No. 2 Fantasy running back in PPR. Four running backs in the past four games against the Lions have actually scored at least 13.1 PPR points, and Gainwell should still make plays in the passing game against this defense. He has at least six catches and six targets in four of his past five games, and he scored at least 8.7 PPR points in all of those outings with just his receiving totals alone. And in those four games where his receptions were high, he scored at least 16.2 PPR points, and he should be needed in this game if the Steelers are chasing points. I'm excited to start Gainwell in PPR in Week 16.
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Pops off for 126 yards Monday
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Gainwell took 13 carries for 80 yards and caught all seven of his targets for 46 yards in Monday's 28-15 win over the Dolphins.
Gainwell surprised national viewers by finishing Monday's game as the leading rusher ahead of Miami's De'Von Achane (12-60-0). The 26-year-old Gainwell reached double-digit carries for just the third time this season, with his extra touches coming at the expense of starter Jaylen Warren (12-33-0), who was battling an illness leading up to the contest. Gainwell's rushing production is too volatile to make him a reliable contributor in standard fantasy formats, but his 4.1 catches per game make him a viable PPR option.
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Sleeper RBs
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Jaylen Warren is worth using as a low-end No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues in Week 15 against Miami, and he has scored at least 12.4 PPR points in three games in a row. But I also like Gainwell as a flex, and he has scored at least 16.2 PPR points in two of his past three games. He has at least six receptions in three of his past four outings, and he should continue to be a popular target for Aaron Rodgers. The Dolphins run defense has improved as the season has gone on, and no running back has scored double digits in PPR against Miami in three games in a row against Washington, New Orleans and the Jets. But Warren and Gainwell and playing well coming into this matchup, and I expect both to be quality Fantasy options on Monday night.
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Jaylen Warren is worth using as a low-end No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues in Week 15 against Miami, and he has scored at least 12.4 PPR points in three games in a row. But I also like Gainwell as a flex, and he has scored at least 16.2 PPR points in two of his past three games. He has at least six receptions in three of his past four outings, and he should continue to be a popular target for Aaron Rodgers. The Dolphins run defense has improved as the season has gone on, and no running back has scored double digits in PPR against Miami in three games in a row against Washington, New Orleans and the Jets. But Warren and Gainwell are playing well coming into this matchup, and I expect both to be quality Fantasy options on Monday night.
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Finds end zone as rusher
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Gainwell rushed the ball four times for 15 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Ravens. He added six receptions on seven targets for 27 yards.
The Steelers continued their recent pattern of work in the backfield, with Jaylen Warren serving as the traditional lead back and Gainwell mixing in primarily on passing downs. Despite that, Gainwell made his biggest impact on a six-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter -- his first rushing score since Week 4. While he was ineffective as a receiver, Gainwell now has at least six catches in three of his last four games.
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Limited role in loss
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Gainwell rushed the ball five times for 20 yards in Sunday's 26-7 loss to the Bills. He added two receptions on three targets for 25 yards.
The Steelers played from behind for the entire second half, which should have benefited Gainwell in his role as the primary pass catcher out of the backfield. However, Pittsburgh managed only 21 offensive plays in the final two quarters, limiting the volume for all of the Steelers' skill-position players. Gainwell will continue to have a key role in the offense, but he's a boom-or-bust fantasy option given the unit's inability to consistently move the ball.
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Sleeper RBs
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Gainwell had a big game in Week 12 at Chicago in tandem with Jaylen Warren, with 10 carries for 92 yards and six catches for 30 yards on six targets, and Gainwell scored 18.2 PPR points. He had a 55-yard run on a fake tush push, but he still scored 12.7 PPR points without that play. Gainwell now has at least four catches in three of his past four games, and I would use him as a flex in this matchup with the Bills, who are No. 3 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Warren should still be considered a No. 2 running back in all leagues, and Buffalo has allowed a pair of running backs to score at least 10.8 PPR points in the same game twice this season (New Orleans in Week 4 and Atlanta in Week 6).
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Gainwell had a big game in Week 12 at Chicago in tandem with Jaylen Warren with 10 carries for 92 yards and six catches for 30 yards on six targets, and Gainwell scored 18.2 PPR points. He had a 55-yard run on a fake tush push, but he still scored 12.7 PPR points without that play. Gainwell now has at least four catches in three of his past four games, and I would use him as a flex in this matchup with the Bills, who are No. 3 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Warren should still be considered a No. 2 running back in all leagues, and Buffalo has allowed a pair of running backs to score at least 10.8 PPR points in the same game twice this season (New Orleans in Week 4 and Atlanta in Week 6).
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Tallies 122 yards from scrimmage
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Gainwell rushed the ball 10 times for 92 yards in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Bears. He added six receptions on six targets for 30 yards.
Jaylen Warren was able to play despite nursing an ankle issue during the week, though he out-touched Gainwell only 18-16. Gainwell's big gain as a runner came on a fake tush push, with Connor Heyward instead spinning and handing the ball to Gainwell for a 55-yard gain -- ending just short of the goal line. As has been the case often this season, Gainwell also excelled as a receiver, pacing the team in receptions and finishing second in yards. Warren is likely to continue to serve as Pittsburgh's traditional lead back moving forward, though Gainwell has a clear role in the offense that is particularly useful in PPR formats.
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Sleeper RBs
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Jaylen Warren (ankle) is cleared to play in Week 12 at Chicago, but I still like Gainwell as a flex. He should continue to have a solid role in tandem with Warren, and Gainwell has at least four catches in two of his past three games. The Steelers might also use caution with Warren and limit his playing time after he left Week 11 against Cincinnati. It also helps that the Bears have allowed two running back tandems to score at least 10.5 PPR points this season (Detroit in Week 2 and Minnesota in Week 11). And Chicago will be without three linebackers in Tremaine Edmunds (groin), T.J. Edwards (hand), and Noah Sewell (elbow).
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Jaylen Warren (ankle) could play in Week 12 at Chicago, but if he's out, then Gainwell would be a must-start Fantasy running back in the majority of leagues. Warren missed Week 4 against Minnesota, and Gainwell scored 31.4 PPR points with 25 total touches for 134 total yards and two touchdowns. And after Warren left Week 11 against Cincinnati, Gainwell finished with 29.5 PPR points with 16 total touches for 105 total yards and two touchdowns. Even if Warren plays, you can use Gainwell as a flex in PPR since he has at least four catches in two of his past three games. But Gainwell could be a star if Warren is unable to play against the Bears.
Gainwell's situation is even dicier than Emanuel Wilson's. Head Coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic that Jaylen Warren could play this week, but doesn't expect Warren to do much early in the week. That means you probably won't know when you make your waiver claim. The last game Warren missed, Gainwell had 25 touches for 134 yards and two touchdowns. That means you have to at least put in a claim, but with Warren potentially back, you may not want to bid much.
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Week 12 Waiver Priority List
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Jaylen Warren (ankle) left Week 11 against Cincinnati, and we don't know his status for Week 12 at Chicago, although Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he's "optimistic" that Warren will play against the Bears. If Warren is out then Kenneth Gainwell would be a must-start running back in all leagues, and he's worth adding for 10-15 percent of your remaining FAB. Warren also said after the Bengals game that he could have returned, but there's no guarantee he'll be fine as the week goes on. Against Cincinnati, Gainwell had nine carries for 24 yards and seven catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets. This is now his fourth game this season with at least 10 total touches, and he scored at least 29.5 PPR points in two of them. Gainwell could be a great Fantasy asset if Warren is out.
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Two receiving TDs as Warren injured
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Gainwell rushed nine times for 24 yards while catching seven of eight targets for 81 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals.
Gainwell capped the opening drive with an 11-yard receiving touchdown. Jaylen Warren played only one snap after hurting his ankle in the third quarter, opening the door for Gainwell to play a larger role. Gainwell didn't find much running room but continued to make significant contributions as a pass catcher out of the backfield, including by notching a five-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter on a pass from Mason Rudolph, who replaced Aaron Rodgers (left wrist) at halftime. If Warren is unavailable or limited in Week 12, Gainwell could take on a hefty workload against the Bears.
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Two receptions in defeat
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Gainwell secured two of three targets for four yards during Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Chargers.
Gainwell led the Steelers' running backs by playing 52 percent of the team's offensive snaps during Sunday's blowout loss, but he saw minimal touches against the Chargers. The primetime matchup marked the first time that Gainwell was held without any carries this season, and he failed to generate much production as a pass catcher. While the Steelers offense generally struggled as a whole Week 10, Gainwell's fantasy upside remains limited for the second half of the regular season.
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Seven touches in loss
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Gainwell rushed five times for 31 yards while securing both of his targets for four yards during Sunday's 35-25 loss to Green Bay.
Gainwell was the lone backup running back to take the field for the Steelers, as Kaleb Johnson didn't see any playing time in the primetime loss. Gainwell played 38 percent of the team's offensive snaps and was relatively efficient on the ground, but he didn't have enough volume to provide much fantasy value. While Gainwell has consistently outpaced Johnson's snap count over the first half of the season, Jaylen Warren has operated as the Steelers' clear lead back, making Gainwell an unreliable fantasy option.
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Gets involved as pass catcher
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Gainwell rushed the ball six times for 22 yards in Sunday's 23-9 win over the Browns. He added six receptions on six targets for 14 yards.
Jaylen Warren served as Pittsburgh's lead back in a traditional sense, out-carrying Gainwell 11-6. However, Gainwell was more involved as a pass catcher, leading to a near-even split in total touches. Gainwell didn't make much of a case to further overtake Warren with an inefficient performance, but he appears to have a clear role in the Pittsburgh backfield for the time being.
We expect Jaylen Warren to get his job back when he's healthy. But until that happens, Gainwell needs to be rostered. He had a role before Warren went down and could be a bye-week replacement as the 1B in Pittsburgh against the right matchup. This week against the Browns is probably not that matchup, unless Warren is out again.
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Week 6 Waiver Priority List
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We don't know if Jaylen Warren (knee) will return in Week 6 against Cleveland after Pittsburgh's bye week. And, if Warren is able to play, we don't know how the Steelers will use both running backs after Gainwell was awesome in place of an injured Warren in Week 4 against Minnesota in Ireland. In that game, Gainwell had 19 carries for 99 yards and two touchdowns and six catches for 35 yards on six targets. I'm going to lean toward Warren getting his starting job back, but Gainwell probably deserves more work moving forward. And if Warren is out again then Gainwell is a must-start running back in all leagues. He's worth adding for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Week 5 Waiver Priority List
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The Steelers have a bye in Week 5, and we don't know how long Jaylen Warren (knee) will be out after he missed Week 4 against Minnesota in Ireland. If Warren returns to action in Week 6 then he should be the No. 1 running back in Pittsburgh. But if Warren is out again then you see how good Gainwell could be in a featured role after he dominated the Vikings with 19 carries for 99 yards and two touchdowns and six catches for 35 yards on six targets. He should have more of a role in tandem with Warren moving forward when both are healthy, and Gainwell should be added in all leagues for at least 15 percent of your remaining FAB.
