The Pittsburgh Steelers had long struggled with their punting situation under former punter Pressley Harvin III. In the offseason, the team addressed the issue by signing Cam Johnston to a three-year, $9 million deal. Johnston brought excitement to Pittsburgh, impressing both pundits and fans with his powerful punts.
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Steelers' Cameron Johnston practicing holding a kick for Chris Boswell during training camp in 2024.
However, during the Steelers' Week 1 game against the Atlanta Falcons, Johnston suffered a concerning injury while preparing to pin the Falcons deep. Kicker Chris Boswell was forced to step in and handle punting duties. After the game, Head Coach Mike Tomlin provided an update on Johnston's condition.
"From a health standpoint you know Cam Johnston appears to have a serious injury. I'll have an update for you next time we come together. It's a shame for him. This guy has been spectacular man through team development. He's an absolute stud not only in his talents but his approach to business and so my heart goes out to him."
Tomlin had high hopes for his new punter, Johnston. During training camp, he even pointed Johnston out to the fans, praising him as a future star. Unfortunately, Johnston's injury is a significant setback. The Steelers will now have to figure out who their starting punter is going to be for the remainder of the season if Johnston is out for the year.
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Steelers' Cam Johnston smiles while Mike Tomlin talks to fans about him.
Johnston was seen as a game-changing addition for the Steelers, who knew their punting struggles had been holding them back. Many believed his presence alone would elevate the special teams unit. However, the team didn't even make it through one regular season game with their new weapon. While Tomlin will provide further updates, he sounded deeply concerned about the severity of the injury.
The play was frustrating for several reasons. Initially, when Johnston was hit, many Steelers fans expected an automatic first down, as a flag was thrown. However, the penalty ended up being holding on the Steelers. Despite the setback, Pittsburgh overcame the adversity and secured an 18-10 victory.
Steelers’ Punting Woes Return
According to Tomlin, the injury appears serious, and the Steelers are likely to be without Johnston for the entire season, forcing them to search for a new punter once again.
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Pittsburgh Steelers punter Pressley Harvin III looks on while warming up before a game.
Fans had hoped the punting struggles were behind them, but during the Steelers' Week 1 victory over the Falcons, those issues resurfaced in disappointing fashion. With Johnston likely sidelined for the entire season or at least a significant portion of it, the Steelers will need to search for a free agent punter.
One option is their former punter Harvin, though he’s far from an exciting choice. Harvin was initially drafted by the Steelers for his impressive punting ability, but his inconsistency became a major issue. His frequent struggles in the field position battle, marked by underwhelming punts, ultimately led to his release.
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