Steelers Facing a Crucial Decision After Christian Kuntz Injury
The Pittsburgh Steelers may need a new long snapper, as veteran Christian Kuntz suffered a preseason injury that could sideline him for most — if not all — of 2025.
Per long-time Steelers beat reporter Mark Kaboly on August 18, “Steelers LS Christian Kuntz’ injury is his sternum. It is believed to be broken, according to a source.”
Kaboly added that a broken sternum “would keep [Kuntz] out for several weeks to months.”
Pittsburgh does not currently have another long snapper on its 90-man preseason roster. But according to Steelers Now beat reporter Alan Saunders on August 17, the team “hosted [long snappers] Rick Lovato, Jake McQuaide, Taybor Pepper and Patrick Scales for tryouts at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Sunday.”
Saunders noted that “all four are veterans with significant NFL experience.”
Christian Kuntz Has Quietly Gotten the Job Done Since 2021
Most fans don’t really think about the long snapper position until an errant snap sails over the punter’s head for a disastrous turnover, or until a key field goal is botched. But it’s an important role on special teams, and there’s generally only one of them on the roster.
For the Steelers, Kuntz has quietly made this job a non-issue since 2021, logging 71 straight appearances for Pittsburgh (including 3 playoff outings).
The steady veteran has also been credited with 9 total tackles, and he’s generally been very reliable at what he does.
Per Steelers Now writer Chris Ward, “the Steelers originally signed Christian Kuntz as a free agent on Aug. 15, 2019. He re-upped with the Steelers in March of 2024 with a three-year extension.”
Long before that, “[Kuntz] recorded five tackles and a sack in [his first] preseason game [with the Steelers] against Carolina,” according to Ward, “but was among the team’s roster cuts at the end of camp.”
“Kuntz [then] played with the Dallas Renegades of the XFL in the spring of 2020,” the Steelers writer continued. “After the XFL folded, Kuntz rejoined the Steelers. He was waived on Aug. 2, but the Steelers re-signed him to their practice squad on Nov. 24. He spent the rest of the season on and off the practice squad, as the Steelers attempted to keep backups for all three of their specialists within the NFL’s COVID-19 testing protocols.” The rest is history.
Kuntz also spent time with the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018 and 2019, but did not play in a game.
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Initially Mentioned ‘Good News’ After Kuntz’s Injury, ‘Pleased With’ Emergency Option
Kuntz was injured during the second preseason outing of 2025 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After the game, ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor relayed that “Tomlin says he thinks they got some ‘good news’ on Christian Kuntz’s injury.” But it appears that the good news may have simply been that the injury is not season-ending.
Pryor also noted that Tomlin described Kuntz’s injury as a “chest” issue at that time.
2024 defensive line draft pick Logan Lee took over for Kuntz as the long snapper after his injury, so the Steelers do have an emergency option on the roster in the event that they need one.
On Lee snapping, Tomlin said: “I certainly was pleased with the work that Logan gave us tonight. He’s worked at it since he’s been here. Versatility helps him and helps us.”
Keep that tidbit in mind if Lee ends up making the 53-man roster.
