Steelers punter Cam Johnston OUT for rest of season

It’s what the Steelers feared after he left the game following a knee injury on Sunday in Atlanta.

According to reports, the team’s new punter, Cameron Johnston will miss the rest of the season.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says it’s a “season-ending knee injury.”

After Sunday’s win, Head Coach Mike Tomlin told reporters that it appeared that Johnston had a “serious” injury.

Johnston’s knee was injured during a play in the fourth quarter on. To throw salt on the wound, the Steelers were called for a penalty after the play, when it appeared roughing the kicker would be called.

It’s a big blow to the Steelers special teams. Johnston was a big upgrade compared to last year’s punter Presley Harvin III.

Comparing to just last year”

Yards Per Kick
·     Cameron Johnston 47.7
·     Pressley Harvin 43.7

Net
·     Cameron Johnston 43.7
·     Pressley Harvin 39.1

Kicks inside the 20-yard line
·     Cameron Johnston 45.5%

The Australian was 14 ^th in the NFL in yards-per-punt, sixth in net and sixth in kicks inside the 20 in 2023. Over his six-year career, three with the Eagles and three with the Texans, Johnston averaged 47.3 yards-per-kick with a 42.2 net and 40.9% inside the 20. He’s had 445 punt attempts in his career with one block.

The Steelers best punter in at least the past 15-20 years will now need to be replaced.

Kicker Chris Boswell, who went 6-for-6 with three FGs outside the 50-yard-line also had emergency punt for 40 yards after Johnston was hurt.

Johnston signed a three-year deal in the offseason worth $9 million with Pittsburgh.