The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to make adjustments to their kickoff return strategy following a critical error by rookie Kaleb Johnson in their recent loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Head coach Mike Tomlin announced on Tuesday that Johnson will “probably” not be returning kickoffs in the upcoming Week 3 game against the New England Patriots.
During the fourth quarter of Sunday’s match, Johnson mistakenly let a kickoff from Seahawks kicker Jason Myers bounce over his head and into the end zone. Believing the play would be called dead, he failed to act according to the NFL’s kickoff rules, which state that any ball landing between the goal line and the 20-yard line must be either returned or downed by the receiving team. This oversight allowed Seahawks backup George Holani to recover the ball for a touchdown.
Tomlin’s Confidence in Johnson
Despite the blunder, Tomlin expressed his belief in Johnson’s abilities. “I’m certainly going to give [Johnson] an opportunity to work his way back from that,” he stated during his weekly news conference. “I believe in his talent. He’s a sharp young man. He’s a hard worker, and so you leave the light on for him.” Tomlin emphasized that Johnson must demonstrate improvement through consistent daily work to regain his position.
While running back Kenneth Gainwell serves as another potential return man, Tomlin has not yet decided on a replacement for Johnson. During preseason activities, the Steelers also experimented with running back Trey Sermon, now on the practice squad, as a kick returner. Additionally, second-year receiver Roman Wilson has experience returning kicks from his time at Michigan.
After the game, Johnson acknowledged his mistake, stating, “I just made a mistake. Got to stick to it, move on, and just continue to get better every day.” His remarks reflect a commitment to learning from the error and improving moving forward.
Injuries Complicate Team Dynamics
The Steelers face additional challenges as they prepare for Sunday’s game, with several defensive players ruled out due to injury. Edge rusher Alex Highsmith and defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk will not play due to ankle sprains, with Loudermilk expected to miss multiple weeks. The status of Derrick Harmon (MCL sprain), DeShon Elliott (knee), and Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) remains uncertain, with Tomlin indicating they are “questionable, at best.”
Inside linebacker Patrick Queen and cornerback Darius Slay also sustained injuries during the game against the Seahawks, but Tomlin remains optimistic about their availability for the clash with New England.
Due to these injuries, the Steelers’ defense faced limitations during the last match, contributing to the Seahawks amassing 395 yards of offense. “Our defense wore down some, particularly as the game went on,” Tomlin noted. He acknowledged that the injuries had a significant impact on the team’s ability to adjust strategically mid-game.
As the Steelers regroup this week, all eyes will be on Johnson to see how he responds to the pressure of bouncing back from his mistake and how the team adapts given the current injury situation. Tomlin emphasized the importance of acknowledging shortcomings and working diligently to improve, stating, “You’ve got to man up… and then you got to work to move beyond it.” The Steelers will be looking for both individual and collective growth as they head into their next matchup.
