Steelers Send Rookie Back to Practice Squad After Costly Special Teams Blunder
The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a swift roster move in the aftermath of their Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Head coach Mike Tomlin
confirmed that rookie running back and returner Kaleb Johnson has been demoted to the practice squad after his game-changing mistake on special teams.
Johnson, a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, mishandled a critical kickoff in the second half against Seattle. The ball slipped past his hands, rolled into the end zone, and was recovered by the Seahawks for a touchdown — a play that turned momentum and left teammates visibly frustrated.
“We can’t afford mistakes like that in critical moments,” Tomlin told reporters after announcing the decision. “Kaleb’s a young player with talent, but right now he needs to reset, focus, and earn back trust.”
Through two games, Johnson had already been under scrutiny after inconsistent returns in the opener against the Jets. Week 2’s blunder sealed his fate, with the staff shifting return duties to Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren.
For the Steelers, the move is as much about accountability as it is about performance. Johnson will now have to prove himself in practice while adjusting to a reduced role.
The Steelers, sitting at 1-1 after the 31-17 loss, will face the New England Patriots in Week 3. Johnson’s demotion underscores Tomlin’s long-standing philosophy: production and reliability, not draft status, determine playing time in Pittsburgh.
For the rookie, it’s a humbling early lesson — and a reminder that every opportunity in the NFL is earned, not given.
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