Steelers punter Cameron Johnston suffers ‘serious’ injury in Week 1 win over Falcons

The Pittsburgh Steelers were pleased with their kicking game heading into the 2024 season. Chris Boswell showed why that is the case when he made six field goals in Sunday's 18-10 season-opening win over the Atlanta Falcons. New punter Cameron Johnston was another big reason for that, but he suffered an injury on Sunday that coach Mike Tomlin later described as “serious.”

“He has my deepest sympathies,” Tomlin told the Post-Gazette about Johnston.

Johnston suffered the injury after being hit in the leg during a punt late in the fourth quarter. A penalty was called against the Steelers on that play, which led to Boswell attempting his first career punt while Johnston was being treated by Pittsburgh's medical staff. Boswell's punt went 43 yards and helped the Steelers to their final victory.

The Steelers signed the 32-year-old Johnston this offseason after releasing Pressley Harvin III, the team's punter for the past three seasons. Johnston, who led the NFL in punting yards as a member of the Texans in 2021, had a successful summer/preseason with Pittsburgh, averaging 51.5 yards on his two punts on Sunday.

Pittsburgh will now begin searching for a replacement for Johnston. Harvin and Matt Haack – an eight-year veteran who played one game for the Browns last season – are two notable punters currently available.