The spotlight was on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ kicking game in both a good and bad way in Week 1.
Kicker Chris Boswell accounted for the Steelers’ scoring by kicking six field goals in an 18-10 victory over the Falcons last Sunday. Three of Boswell’s kicks were from 50-plus yards.
However, punter Cameron Johnston sustained a serious knee injury late in the game. He was placed on injured reserve and will likely miss the remainder of the season.
Corliss Waitman was signed as a free agent. He will handle the punting duties Sunday when the Steelers (1-0) visit the Denver Broncos (0-1).
Waitman punted in two games for the Steelers in 2021 then spent the entire 2022 season with the Broncos but hasn’t played in an NFL regular-season game since then. He led the NFL with 96 punts in 2022, averaging 46.6 yards a kick total and 41.4 yards net.
Waitman made his NFL debut in 2021 and averaged 52.7 yards total and 42.6 net on his seven punts. Despite the short stint, Waitman made a positive impression on Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.
Waitman will also serve as the holder for Boswell.
“We’re familiar with Corliss, excited about him,” Tomlin said during his weekly news conference. “He was on our expanded practice squad during those COVID years and really had an opportunity to develop while here. He developed his holding while here. He didn’t have a lot of holding experience in college, so (Boswell) and company were a component of his development in that area.”
Johnston was making his Steelers’ debut last Sunday after being signed as a free agent in the offseason. He punted twice in Week 1 with averages of 51.5 yards overall and 37.5 yards net.
Boswell punted for the first time in his 10-year career after Johnston got hurt and had a 43-yard kick that was not returned.
This is Johnston’s seventh NFL season. The Australia native spent three years each with the Philadelphia Eagles (2019-21) and Houston Texans (2022-24).
“I’m really disappointed for him,” Tomlin said. “This guy’s been spectacular for us. He’s punted the ball extremely well in the short time he’s been here. But as impressive as his punting is his professionalism and approach to business. He’s an awesome teammate. He’s a hard worker. He quickly earned the respect of the guys because of that."
The Steelers used two punters last season with Pressley Harvin III appearing in 15 games and Brad Wing appearing twice. Pittsburgh 44.0-yard punting average was the second-lowest mark in the NFL after the New Orleans Saints’ 43.0.
While the Steelers are coming off a season-opening win, the Broncos lost to the Seattle Seahawks 26-20 in Week 1. The Steelers are looking to begin a season 2-0 for the first time since 2020 when they won their first 11 games.
