Steelers bring back P Corliss Waitman after Cameron Johnston season-ending injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday signed one of their former punters, Corliss Waitman, to replace the injured Cameron Johnston.

The strong-legged Waitman punted for the Steelers in two games late during the 2021 regular season. He served as the Denver Broncos’ regular punter throughout the 2022 season but was cut twice last year and never appeared in a game.

Waitman replaces Johnston, who had re-invigorated the Pittsburgh Steelers’ punting game over summer workouts and training camp. But Johnston’s initial tenure as the Steelers’ punter lasted less than 57 minutes of regular-season play because he suffered a “serious” injury to his right knee late during Sunday’s season-opening Steelers win at the Atlanta Falcons. The NFL Network was the first to report Monday that Johnston will be out for the season.

“It (stinks),” long snapper Christian Kuntz said Monday. “You never want to see that happen, especially to a guy like that, a guy like Cam. Great teammate, great punter. It (stinks).”

The Steelers were so intent on upgrading their languishing punting game after three seasons with Pressley Harvin III as their punter that they cut Harvin in the spring and made Johnston the first player they signed after free agency opened.

A seven-year veteran, Johnston signed a three-year, $9 million contract, and during organized team activities, training camp and preseason games, he appeared worth every penny. Johnston averaged 51.5 yards on two punts Sunday before his right (kicking) leg was rolled up into awkwardly after he punted with 3 minutes, 40 seconds left.

Coach Mike Tomlin said after the game that Johnston’s injury was “serious.”

“He’s an absolute stud, not only in his talents, but his approach to business,” Tomlin said. “My heart goes out to him.”

Before the signing of Waitman was announced, Kuntz mentioned his previous experience snapping to Waitman.

“For me, (who I’m snapping to), it doesn’t really change,” Kuntz said. “Obviously, having Cam was great, and Pressley in my past, and Corliss and some other guys who were here. But whoever it is, I’ve just got to do my job.”