Johnston Healthy a Big Boost for Pittsburgh

by Bo Marchionte
Published May 27, 2025, 03:19 PM

Pittsburgh, PA – After the 2024 season derailed by injury, Pittsburgh Steelers punter Cameron Johnston is back and sounding as confident as ever.

“Feeling good. Feeling really good,” Johnston said with a smile on the first day of OTAs at the Steelers’ South Side facility.

It’s been a long road for Johnston, who suffered a calf injury early in the 2024 campaign that landed him on injured reserve. The veteran punter missed the entire regular season after signing a three-year deal with Pittsburgh last offseason, a frustrating blow after years of consistent production with Houston and Philadelphia.

But now, after months of rehab and focused preparation, Johnston is finally back on the field, punting full-speed — and showing no signs of rust.

“We’ve been punting a lot,” Johnston said. “It all feels really good.”

And it looked really good, too. Johnston’s leg looked as strong as ever as he boomed kick after kick during special teams drills on Tuesday. The hangtime, placement, and trademark power were all on display as he worked with long snapper Christian Kuntz and special teams coordinator Danny Smith.

His return to full form comes at the perfect time for the Steelers, who are leaning on veteran experience in all three phases as they transition into a pivotal 2025 season. The 32-year-old Johnston is one of the most technically sound punters in the league, with a proven ability to flip field position and execute in high-pressure situations.

While Johnston focused most of his attention on his own comeback, he also made sure to show support for another big story in the punter world.

Las Vegas Raiders standout AJ Cole, who recently became the highest-paid punter in NFL history with a $15 million extension.

“He’s a really good dude,” Johnston said. “He deserves it, too. He’s been killing it.”

Johnston’s praise for Cole wasn’t just teammate talk it was appreciation from one elite specialist to another. Punters don’t often grab headlines, but Johnston knows how much work and precision goes into that role. Seeing someone get rewarded on a national level? That lifts the whole position.

“Everyone’s super happy for a guy like that,” Johnston said. “He’s been killing it year after year after year, so it’s well deserved.”

Now, Johnston will look to get back to the level that made him a respected figure across the league. During his time with the Texans, he finished top 10 in average yards per punt in multiple seasons. The Steelers signed him with the expectation that he would bring consistency, field control, and playoff-seasoned reliability to their special teams’ unit.

That plan got delayed a year but Johnston’s response to the adversity might just make him better than ever.

His message now is simple: the leg feels good, the confidence is high, and he’s ready to contribute.

“I’ve been feeling strong,” he said. “Everything’s coming back the right way. Just happy to be back out here and doing what I love.”

And judging by the sound of those kicks echoing across the South Side, he’s ready to do it at a high level.

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com