Pittsburgh’s Week 2 preseason scare around long snapper Christian Kuntz has the Steelers acting with urgency. Kuntz suffered a chest injury but a short-term diagnosis from Mike Tomlin and Kuntz’s own optimism points to a fast return, potentially in time for Week 1 against the New York Jets. In the interim, Pittsburgh tapped Jake McQuaide, a 14-year veteran, to stabilize long snapping while Logan Lee stepped up admirably in the backup role during preseason actions. The move signals a priority on special-teams reliability as the club opens the regular season.

From a fantasy lens, long snapping isn’t a typical stat, but roster stability in the kicking game matters. If Kuntz misses time, McQuaide handles punts and extra points, which could influence field-position dynamics and kicker consistency early in the season. A clean snap mitigates missed kicks, while any hiccup could ripple through the Steelers’ starting units. Week 1 showdown with the Jets will test how quickly the new depth secures the unit’s rhythm.

Recovery timelines remain the wild card, yet the franchise’s emphasis on short-term safety bodes well for early-season trust in PIT’s special-teams core. McQuaide’s veteran presence buys time for a prudent return, while Lee’s early showing leaves Pittsburgh with a flexible contingency plan. Jets visit in Week 1 adds a tangible benchmark for the unit’s immediate impact.

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.

Pittsburgh’s special-teams plan took a hit when long snapper Christian Kuntz suffered a broken sternum in the penultimate preseason game against Tampa Bay, forcing him out for weeks to months. The Steelers quickly began testing replacements, with Logan Lee serving as the emergency snapper for the remainder of the TB tilt. The injury compounds the team’s ongoing preseason questions and could ripple through punt, field-goal, and overall special-teams efficiency in the early season.

Meanwhile, Nick Herbig left the same game with a hamstring tweak—described by Mike Tomlin as precautionary and not serious—and was later deemed fine. Pittsburgh used the game as a showcase for rookies and pass-catchers, adding intrigue to late preseason decisions. The club’s rapid roster-testing at long snapper underscores the depth concerns and the fantasy implications tied to special-teams reliability.

With Kuntz sidelined, Pittsburgh stepped up its search for snaps specialists, while TB represented a meaningful preseason opponent to gauge adjustments and potential early-season impact. Fantasy players should monitor snap credibility, punt-team consistency, and any roster moves that could influence the Steelers’ special-teams unit in the opening weeks.

Pittsburgh's Week 2 preseason setback to Tampa Bay produced a concise health update from Mike Tomlin on three Steelers: Gareth Warren-like pages aside, the focus was on Christian Kuntz and Nick Herbig, with the team optimistic none of the trio will miss meaningful time before the regular season. Warren was evaluated for a concussion after the loss, Kuntz disclosed a chest issue with some "good news", and Herbig left with a hamstring scare but Tomlin indicated he’s "okay." With almost 20 days until the Jets kickoff, depth and ST implications loom larger than any Week 2 blemish.

Fantasy angles: the Steelers’ backups could be leaned on more if anything lingers, especially on special teams and the matchup with Jets’ personnel. Monitor Kuntz and Herbig for practice impact and any sign of slowdown in Warren’s concussion evaluation. The update suggests little impact on Week 1 starters, but depth charts and ST units may shift before the opener.

As the countdown to kickoff continues, the Pittsburgh Steelers reflect on the history of jersey number 46, currently worn by long snapper Christian Kuntz. Kuntz, a key player on the special teams, has appeared in 68 games since joining the Steelers in 2021 and recently extended his contract through 2024. Previous notable players to wear No. 46 include Matthew Thomas and Will Johnson, but the standout is running back Reggie Harrison, who played from 1974 to 1977. Harrison contributed significantly to the Steelers' Super Bowl victories, notably blocking a punt that led to a safety in Super Bowl X, underscoring his impact on the team's legacy.