Cameron Johnston’ tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers has been abruptly cut short after just one game due to a severe knee injury. The former Ohio State punter, who had high hopes for his first season with the Steelers, suffered the season-ending injury during the team’s opener against the Atlanta Falcons. The news was initially reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The injury occurred in the fourth quarter when Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge collided with Johnston’s right leg following a punt. Despite the collision, the play was not flagged for roughing the kicker, as it was determined that Hodge had been blocked into Johnston.
Johnston, who played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2013 to 2016, had signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Steelers this offseason. Before joining Pittsburgh, he spent time with the Houston Texans from 2021 to 2023 and the Philadelphia Eagles from 2017 to 2020.
Despite Johnston’s unfortunate injury, the Steelers managed to kick off their season on a positive note with an 18-10 victory over the Falcons. In a notable performance, former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields made his debut as a Steeler, stepping in due to Russell Wilson’s calf injury. Fields completed 17 of 23 passes for 156 yards and added 57 rushing yards on 14 carries, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities.
Johnston’s injury is a significant blow to the Steelers’ special teams unit, which will now have to adapt without their new punter. The team will likely need to explore options to fill the void left by Johnston’s absence and continue to build on their successful start to the season.
By Dan Hope