The Pittsburgh Steelers edged the Minnesota Vikings 24-21 in Dublin in the NFL’s first regular-season international game of 2025. The Steelers built an impressive 24-6 lead by mid-fourth quarter. With the win, the Pittsburgh Steelers enter their Week 5 bye at 3–1. Mike Tomlin revealed an unlikely bonus for the team in his 19-year-long history for holding up their side of the bargain.
According to Mark Kaboly, “The Steelers will not hold an official open practice during the bye week. This may be the first time in the Tomlin era that he’s done that.”
Coaches rarely guarantee a light treatment during a bye, especially when injuries accumulate and momentum is at stake. This signaled strong faith in the roster’s resolve. But on the other end of the spectrum, Pittsburgh ranks as the second-oldest team in the league. This could also mean a reduction in workload for the veteran players. Before the match, Mike Tomlin made a locker room promise to his team.
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While speaking to the reporters, he said, “I promised them a sweet bye week if we got the business done. I’ll probably have to fulfill that promise. There probably won’t be a lot of work in the week that lies ahead. We’ll get ourselves a good bonus on Monday and a good week’s work coming out of it, but they’re deserving of that.”
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Kenneth Gainwell’s rushing score gave Pittsburgh the lead. On an 80-yard touchdown pass, Rodgers struck D.K. Metcalf. Gainwell ran for two touchdowns and 99 yards. Aaron Rodgers scored 200 yards and one touchdown on 18 of 22 passes. The Pittsburgh Steelers forced two interceptions by T.J. Watt and DeShon Elliott and sacked Carson Wentz six times. In the fourth quarter, the Vikings made a comeback. Although Wentz completed two touchdown throws, their last effort on fourth-and-17 was unsuccessful. Payton Wilson’s pursuit of Jordan Addison on an 81-yard gain, which stopped him at the one-yard line and saved roughly 61 seconds off the clock, was a game-changing play.
For the players, it offers rest and recovery. For coaches, it demands readiness to ramp back up for the upcoming challenges as injuries have taken a toll on the Steelers’ roster.
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Injury toll rises on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ ailing roster
Late in the Steelers’ victory over the Vikings, Calvin Austin III sustained a shoulder injury. An ambulance took him for further evaluation after the game due to Croke Park’s lack of imaging equipment.
Brooke Pryor of ESPN reported on X, “Steelers WR Calvin Austin III was just loaded into an ambulance in the tunnel with his shoulder in a sling.”
Throughout the match, his return was still in doubt. Medical staff escorted him off after he absorbed a hit following a catch, which caused the injury. The rookie in his final year of the contract may miss several games, according to postgame reports.
Tomlin stated during the press meet, “As I mentioned, it’s probably appropriate because we’ve got a lot of people down.”
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The injuries continued to mount. Jalen Ramsey, a cornerback, was less productive when he strained his hamstring. Following what appeared to be a non-contact incident, Brandin Echols experienced cramping. Darnell Washington cleated Darius Slay during the game. Running back Jaylen Warren, cornerback Joey Porter Jr., and outside linebacker Alex Highsmith were already absent for the Pittsburgh Steelers going into the game.
Austin is the team’s number two receiver, which means this injury is particularly detrimental. The time off allows Pittsburgh to regroup. His absence forces depth players into larger roles. Ramsey’s problem further strains the secondary and decreases its flexibility. The team has to improvise substitutes, reduce risk, and hope that the recovery schedule proves effective.