Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz suffered a sternum injury in Saturday night’s preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show. It is believed to be broken. That would keep him out for several weeks to months.
Steelers LS Christian Kuntz' injury is his sternum. It is believed to be broken, according to a source. That would keep him out for several weeks to months.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) August 18, 2025
Kuntz suffered the sternum injury after making a tackle on Buccaneers return man Tez Johnson in the first quarter of Saturday night’s preseason game. Kuntz was ruled out for the rest of the game.
Kuntz went out of the blue medical tent, without his shoulder pads and jersey, and headed down the tunnel to the Steelers locker room.
Johnson returned the punt 32 yards before Kuntz brought him down. The Duquesne product took a very long time to get over the to medical tent, holding his left arm across his chest.
Defensive lineman Logan Lee was the long snapper on the Steelers’ point after attempts/field goals and on punts.
teelers head coach Mike Tomlin said after the game that they got some “good news” regarding Kuntz, who was taken from the stadium for further examination.
“I’m not ready to talk hypotheticals regarding Christian. I think we got some good news there,” Tomlin said about Kuntz’s injury. “But I was certainly pleased with the work that Logan gave us tonight. He’s worked that since he’s been here. Versatility helps him and it helps us.”
The Steelers hosted long snappers Rick Lovato, Jake McQuaide, Taybor Pepper and Patrick Scales for tryouts at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Sunday. All four are veterans with significant NFL experience.
Lovato, 32, won two Super Bowls with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016-24 and also spent time with the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins earlier in his career.
McQuaide, 37, was a Pro Bowl long snapper for the Los Angeles Rams in 2016 and 2017. He spent 10 years with the Rams from 2011-20, and since then has spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins. An Ohio State alum, McQuaide was a college teammate of Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward.
Pepper, 31, was with the San Francisco 49ers the last five seasons, and spent time with the Packers, Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants and Dolphins before that. Pepper was a veteran tryout for the Steelers this spring during the team’s rookie minicamp.
Scales, 37, spent the last 10 seasons with the Bears, and previously also played with the Ravens, Dolphins, New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dontao Crisanti, an undrafted rookie from Rhode Island, also joined the Steelers for a tryout during rookie camp. Tucker Addington had been with the team as Kuntz’s backup from June 25 until he was waived on Aug. 7. Addington remains a free agent.
*Alan Saunders contributed...
