After Jaylen Warren’s unexpected placement on injured reserve, Kaleb Johnson could finally step into the spotlight for the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Minnesota Vikings today in Dublin, Ireland.
The setback update for Aaron Rodgers’ unit hit the NFL world after ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted, “Steelers RB Jaylen Warren did not feel right after Saturday’s practice and the Steelers decided to hold him out today.” But with Warren sidelined due to a lingering injury, the third-round draft pick now has a golden opportunity to prove himself on the field.
The pressure on Johnson comes after a challenging start to his rookie season. Early in the year, a costly punt return mistake left him with negative yardage and limited his playing time in crucial offensive sets. Critics questioned his readiness, and as USA Today reports, “Johnson has been completely absent from the offensive game plan after a pair of big mistakes on the kickoff return team. Pittsburgh elevated running back Trey Sermon for a second-straight week, and we expect him to be part of the kickoff return team again.” Despite these shortcomings, the Steelers’ organization continues to show faith in its young talent.
Well, apart from the organization, the support has also come from an unexpected source. The Steelers’ two-time Super Bowl champion Trai Essex took to social media to send a strong message of confidence to Johnson. “This is why we drafted Kaleb Johnson in the 3rd round. Jaylen can’t go. Has been nicked up a couple of times in his career. Vikings are soft in the middle. This game needs to be Kaleb’s redemption game. Pound the hell out of the inside/outside zone,” Essex tweeted, highlighting both the opportunity and expectation for Johnson in today’s matchup.
After his punt return mistake, the Steelers’ head coach, Mike Tomlin, had stated that he won’t be returning kickoffs in the “short term”. But Tomlin had also left a chance for Johnson to bounce back one day. “I’m certainly going to give him an opportunity to work back from that error,” Tomlin said. “I believe in his talent. He’s a sharp young man. He’s a hard worker.” The head coach did not throw him under the bus. But as Kaleb has got an opportunity, he better be a hero in Ireland.
Why the Vikings vs Steelers Could be a Game Changer for Kaleb Johnson?
First of all, the Vikings, known for their defensive struggles in the middle, could be a perfect stage for Johnson to shine. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith‘s strategies will likely emphasize his role in both inside and outside zone runs, giving him the chance to make a real impact. The Vikings’ pass defense has allowed an average of 246.7 passing yards per game, ranking 26th in the league.
Secondly, Johnson’s college career at Kentucky was marked by explosive performances. Over his final two seasons, he averaged 1,100+ rushing yards per season with double-digit touchdowns, showing an ability to break big runs both inside and outside the tackles. Against a Vikings defense vulnerable in the middle, Johnson has a real chance to replicate that production at the professional level.
But thirdly, the more important reason for Johnson to pull up great stats in this game would be wiping out the doubts.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Johnson can turn the tide and demonstrate why he was a coveted pick in the third round. Redemption and opportunity collide today, and all eyes in Pittsburgh will be on Kaleb Johnson to see if he can step up when the Steelers need him most.