Pittsburgh’s long snapper Christian Kuntz is sidelined by a chest injury from the weekend’s preseason tilt with Tampa Bay, with early chatter suggesting a broken sternum. The Steelers signed a second LS, Jake McQuaide, to provide insurance while Kuntz recovers. Coach Mike Tomlin labeled the injury short-term and hinted at Week 1 readiness, and Pittsburgh has not placed Kuntz on injured reserve, signaling confidence in a quick return and preserving the 53-man roster dynamics.

While long snapping itself rarely moves fantasy numbers, the outcome shapes Steelers’ special-teams depth and Week 1 roster plans. If Kuntz returns as hoped, McQuaide remains a fallback rather than a week-to-week starter, keeping Boswell’s cadence and punt-team chemistry stable. Fantasy players should monitor practice updates for any shift in depth or snaps, but the prevailing tone is cautious optimism rather than a protracted absence.

In the short week ahead, the Steelers appear set to prioritize health and continuity, aiming to have Kuntz back in Week 1 while McQuaide stays on standby as needed. The Bay Area-to-Pittsburgh storyline underscores how even non-skill-position moves ripple through special-teams depth and roster logistics as the season opens.