An injury forced the Buffalo Bills to find their third punter in just five weeks into the season.
Mitch Wishnowsky signed Tuesday to the Bills’ roster after the team learned that its punter, Cameron Johnston, will miss time with a foot/ankle injury that occurred in its 31-19 win over the New Orleans Saints at Highmark Stadium. To make room for Wishnowski, the Bills placed Johnston on injured reserve. He’s required to miss at least four games.
Wischnowsky, 32, punted for the San Francisco 49ers from 2019-24. His net average of 37.9 yards through nine games last season ranked last in the NFL among those who attempted at least 21 punts, but he missed the second half with a back injury. Wischnowsky spent three days last month with the Washington Commanders, who cut the Australian as soon as their starter, Tress Way, got cleared by doctors to punt in Week 2 game against the Green Bay Packers.
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Winner of the Ray Guy Award for college football’s best punter in 2016, Wischnowsky kicked twice in the 49ers’ loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV. In six NFL seasons, Wischnowsky has a net punting average of 40.7 yards.
Saints practice squad linebacker Nephi Sewell fell into Johnston’s left leg while New Orleans sent an all-out punt block with 5:18 left in the fourth quarter and the Bills leading 28-19. Sewell was penalized for roughing the kicker, which allowed Bills quarterback Josh Allen to move the offense into field-goal range.
Johnston strapped a brace to his left leg and returned to hold for Matt Prater’s 35-yard field goal, but the extent of the injury was evident following the game when the Australian limped to undergo X-rays. He told reporters that, structurally, the knee felt “pretty solid,” and he was scheduled to undergo further testing Monday.
The Bills may have been mulling a change before the injury because Johnston’s net average of 37.9 yards on seven punts ranked 26th in the NFL and represents a marginal upgrade over Brad Robbins, who they cut following a Week 1 come-from-behind win over the Baltimore Ravens. Johnston’s 4.31 average hang time ranked 22nd at the time of his injury.
Wishnowsky is expected to make his Bills debut Sunday night when they host the New England Patriots.
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Lance Lysowski
News Sports Reporter
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