Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers updated roster for Wednesday has running back Kenneth Gainwell switching to 14 and rookie wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig to 21.
Gainwell wore No. 14 during his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles, but the digit wasn’t available initially due to George Pickens being on the roster. Of course, that has changed since May 6 when the Steelers traded Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys.
Gainwell getting No. 14 also ends any speculation that new wide receiver DK Metcalf will switch back to No. 14, which he has worn for the past six years with the Seattle Seahawks.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is excited about the addition of former Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell. Tomlin saw firsthand the damage that Gainwell is capable of. And that’s why the Steelers targeted him in free agency.
Gainwell is a shifty back who excels in space. He displayed that against the Steelers in Week 15 this past season, recording seven carries for 20 yards and three catches for 40 yards in Philadelphia’s 27-13 win.
“Obviously, the acquisition of Kenny Gainwell is something that we’re really excited about,” Tomlin said at the NFL’ owner’s meetings. “That’s a guy that we’ve competed against. Man, it seems like he made a bunch of significant plays in the flat against us a couple of months back that were significant game-altering-like plays. You know, you catch a swing route on third-and-6, you make a couple of people miss, you get a new set of downs, you’re able to keep the drive alive.
“He converted a third down in a similar way inside the red area, created a first-and-goal circumstance. It directly related to points as that game unfolded. You guys know that watch us work routinely how much we value routine things like winning in the flat, whether you’re a ball-carrier, a ball-catcher or a tackler.”
The Steelers announced the signing of wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig on Tuesday. Cornerback C.J. Henderson was the last Steeler to wear No. 21. Darius Rush also wore No. 21 during the 2024 season
Lemonious-Craig recorded 45 catches for 468 yards and four touchdowns during his two seasons at Arizona. He also played three seasons at Colorado, where he had 34 catches for 497 yards and five touchdowns.
He scored a 5.57 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1692 out of 3815 wide receivers from 1987 to 2025. Lemonious-Craig also posted a 35-inch vertical and ran a 4.54 40-yard dash at his pro day.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers RB Kenneth Gainwell Switches Jersey Number
