The Pittsburgh Steelers started the season off on the right note with their 18-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.
With Russell Wilson sidelined with a calf injury, Pittsburgh turned to Justin Fields to helm the offense against the Falcons. Fields threw for 156 yards in the season opener, adding another 57 yards on the ground on 14 rush attempts. Defensively, TJ Watt wreaked havoc with a sack and a fumble recovery. Watt also displayed his impact with two more forced fumbles negated by penalties.
The Steelers’ special teams were a major part of the victory as well. Pittsburgh’s kicker Chris Boswell was a perfect six for six kicking on the day, accounting for all of the Steelers’ points. The Steelers’ new punter Cameron Johnston unfortunately went down with a lower leg injury head coach Mike Tomlin believed to be serious in the second half after being hit by a Falcons defender.
The Steelers will be without punter Johnston for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury against the Falcons according to ESPN’s Ian Rapoport.
“Steelers punter Cameron Johnston suffered a season-ending knee injury in Sunday’s win over the Falcons, sources say,” Rapoport reported. “A blow to Pittsburgh special teams in more ways than one, as Johnston was also the holder for Chris Boswell.”
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Johnston signed a three-year deal with the Steelers in the offseason, but will not see the field until next season. The veteran punter spent three seasons with both the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans before joining the Steelers.
Pittsburgh is replacing Johnston with the signing of Corliss Waitman. Waitman spent time with Pittsburgh in 2020 and 2021 previously.
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