Signed to be a complementary member of the Pittsburgh Steelers backfield in free agency, Kenny Gainwell was thrust into a starting role Sunday out of circumstance.

He took the opportunity and, well, ran with it.

Taking advantage of an injury to starter Jaylen Warren, Gainwell was the workhorse of the Steelers’ 24-21 victory against the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park in Dublin.

A fifth-year veteran making his fifth NFL start, Gainwell set a career high with 99 rushing yards and 19 carries. He also caught a team-high six passes for 35 yards in the victory. And, more importantly, he scored two of the Steelers’ three touchdowns, finding the end zone on runs of 1 and 4 yards.

“It’s definitely the most work I’ve had in a few years,” Gainwell said.

Gainwell came up a yard short of reaching triple digits. He was stopped a yard short of a third touchdown in the fourth quarter when the Steelers went for it from fourth-and-goal from the 3. On the next series, with the Steelers needing a first down to run out the clock, Gainwell was stopped for no gain on third-and-1. The Steelers punted, and Gainwell never touched the ball again.

“I’m not greedy,” Gainwell said. “We came out with the win. At the same time, I’m thankful for the offensive line to get me those yards.”

The Steelers entered the game with the No. 31-ranked rushing offense, one that averaged 63 yards a game through three weeks. Behind Gainwell, the Steelers finished with 131.

Warren was inactive for the game. He worked out beforehand, but coach Mike Tomlin opted against using Warren against the Vikings.

“We didn’t want to put him in uniform and if he didn’t finish, we would be working a guy short,” Tomlin said. “Jaylen is a tough guy. He wanted to do it. I thought it was prudent not to. We also had confidence in Kenny Gainwell, and he showed you why.”

Gainwell didn’t know until Warren was scratched that he would be starting.

“You got to be ready when you got to be ready,” he said.

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