LATROBE, Pa. -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed veteran punter Adam Podlesh on the reserve/did not report list, adding more uncertainty to what the Steelers will do at a position that has been a revolving door under coach Mike Tomlin.
“Adam has decided not to report to training camp at this time due to family obligations,” general manager Kevin Colbert said Tuesday in statement released by the Steelers.
Podlesh did not report to camp on July 25 because his wife was due to give birth, and he has yet to practice with the Steelers due to complications from his wife’s pregnancy. Podlesh signed a one-year, $855,000 contract with the Steelers in May after punting the three previous seasons for the Chicago Bears.
Brad Wing is the only punter at camp, though the Steelers have an open spot on their roster if they want to bring in another punter while Podlesh is out.
Wing, who signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers last January, has been impressive in camp but he produced mixed results in the preseason opener. Wing averaged just 36.4 yards per punt in the Steelers’ 20-16 loss to the New York Giants last Saturday night.
He boomed a 54-yard punt and also had a 46-yard kick that led to a turnover. Wing got enough hang time on the 46-yard punt for running back Tauren Poole to position himself right in front of Giants return man Charles James II.
James muffed the catch and Steelers outside linebacker Howard Jones recovered the fumble that led to a Shaun Suisham field goal.
The Steelers break training camp on Friday and play the Buffalo Bills the following night at Heinz Field. Podlesh's status means the coaches will only see him punt in two preseason games at most and that is only if he practices early next week when the Steelers return to team headquarters.
