Free Agent Punter Returns to Steelers

After losing starting punter Cameron Johnston to a season-ending injury, the Pittsburgh Steelers plan to sign punter Corliss Waitman, his agent told NFL Network on Monday.

The #Steelers plan to sign punter Corliss Waitman, per his agent Alexa Stabler, after Cameron Johnston suffered a season-ending knee injury Sunday.

It’s the third stint with Pittsburgh for Waitman, who originally signed there as an undrafted free agent in 2020. pic.twitter.com/57cMZCEcri

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 9, 2024

Waitman, 29, will be on his third stint with the Steelers. Pittsburgh originally signed him as an undrafted free agent out of South Alabama in 2020. He spent parts of the 2020 and 2021 seasons with Pittsburgh, playing two games in 2021.

In those two games, he kicked seven times, averaging 52.1 yards per punt and 42.6 net yards per kick, with a long punt of 63 yards. He had one go for a touchback and one downed inside the 20-yard line.

The Steelers waived Waitman after Pressley Harvin III returned from bereavement leave, and he was claimed by the Denver Broncos. Waitman spent the entire 2022 season in Denver as their primary punter, leading the NFL with 96 punts. He maintained a 46.6 gross and 41.4 net average.

Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) trains at Heinz Field during the Steelers 2020 Training Camp, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

A free agent the following year, Waitman signed with the New England Patriots, and he spent time on their practice squad last season. He had been with the Bears earlier this offseason but was released at the end of August.

Waitman has familiarity with Steelers kicker Chris Boswell, having worked with him for two seasons as the Steelers backup holder, and two games as his primary holder in 2021. 

A native of Ghent, Belgium, Waitman spent four years at South Alabama. He transferred to Mississippi State for his redshirt senior year in 2019, but was ruled ineligible by the NCAA.

The Steelers have an open slot on their 53-man roster, so they do not need to make a corresponding move to sign Waitman, though they will likely place Johnston on the injured reserve list at some point.