Kenneth Gainewell didn't find out he was making the fifth start of his five-year NFL career, and first with the Pittsburgh Steelers, until about an hour before game time on Sunday.

Listed as questionable on Friday, Steelers running back Jaylen Warren was ruled out after his injured knee did not respond well during pregame warmups. Thus, the Steelers went with Gainwell as their RB1 in the first NFL regular-season game played in Ireland.

Gainwell responded in a big way as the Steelers built an 18-point lead, then held off the Minnesota Vikings for a 24-21 win at Croke Park in Dublin that improved their record to 3-1.

Gainwell rushed for a career-high 99 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries and added a team-high six receptions for 35 yards. The rushing total easily eclipsed the 78 yards he had as a rookie for the Philadelphia Eagles against the Dallas Cowboys in 2021.

"I just knew I had to be ready to go," Gainwell said. "I give a shout-out to the (offensive) line. Those guys were good up front, and I was just being patient and reading my blocks."

Gainwell had just 85 total yards in the Steelers' first three games, 55 rushing and 30 receiving. Before Sunday, the Steelers had not produced more than 72 rushing yards in a game this season and entered ranked 24th in the NFL in rushing.

However, the running game clicked with Gainwell getting the bulk of the carries.

His first touchdown was on a 1-yard run with 55 seconds left in the first quarter, which put the Steelers ahead for good, 7-3. He scored on a 4-yard run with 2:23 remaining in the third quarter that stretched the lead to 21-6.

"I have got a great deal of confidence in Kenny Gainwell, and he showed you why," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "Top-notch competitor and professional. He's been a great asset to us in the running game and as a receiver out of the backfield. He's just a football player first, and I appreciate his efforts today. Kenny is always ready for whatever we ask him to do."