Rookie Ke’Shawn Williams impresses as Steelers fill-in return man in NFL debut

Less than 7 minutes into his NFL debut and on his second snap as a pro, Ke’Shawn Williams had a punt return longer than all but one of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ the past five seasons.

A questionable illegal block call overturned Williams’ 47-yard return during the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.

But the point had been made: Williams, an undrafted rookie, was unfazed by the moment and capable of making plays.

“It feels good. It’s the dream,” Williams said after the game of playing in his first NFL regular-season game. “Living it now, so it feels good.”

Elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game as a replacement for injured wide receiver Calvin Austin III, Williams was on the field for three kickoff returns, four punt returns and one offensive snap.

He returned three punts for 30 yards and added a pair of 25-yard kickoff returns.

Johnson impressed enough that coach Mike Tomlin — unsolicited — brought him up during remarks at his weekly news conference Monday.

“Can’t say enough about young ‘Key’ as a punt returner,” Tomlin said. “Getting his first NFL action in place of Calvin … I thought he made good decisions, I thought he was mechanically solid, thought he was fundamentally solid.”

Though the official stat-book credit for Johnson’s first punt return was negated to 8 yards by what many Steelers felt was a bogus call on Jabrill Peppers for an illegal blindside block, Johnson in the third quarter had a 15-yard return that was the longest by a Steelers player this season.

The only one Austin has taken longer than 47 yards was his 73-yarder for a touchdown during a win against the New York Giants last season. Aside from that, the most recent Steelers punt return longer than 47 yards was from Ray-Ray McCloud in 2020.

“I wish they didn’t call (the penalty on Peppers), but I mean, I’m just glad I was able to just go out there and show what I’m capable of,” Williams said. “And to kind of make a mark a little bit and kind of put some good stuff on tape for the coaches to remember that and also help the team win games.

“That’s what they called me up for: to fill a role and do my job. And I’m just glad I was able to go out there and do my job.”

Tomlin on Monday did not rule out Austin (shoulder) for Thursday’s game at the Cincinnati Bengals. But being that it is a short week — the only time the Steelers will practice is Tuesday — it might be a long shot for Austin to play.

“We’ll see what this week looks like,” Tomlin said. “We do have a good work day tomorrow. We’ll see what that holds.”

Tomlin was encouraged by the way cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Joey Porter Jr. played in their return from hamstring injuries. Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith also returned from a high ankle sprain.

“There were bumps and bruises, but nothing that would raise our antennas regarding play availability Thursday night,” Tomlin said.

If Austin can’t go, judging by the praise from Tomlin it certainly would not be a surprise if Williams again is elevated to be in uniform in Cincinnati.

“I wouldn’t even say I was overly nervous to begin the (Browns) game just because I prepare extremely hard,” said Williams, who played last season at Indiana following four seasons at Wake Forest. “I prepare every week like I’m about to play. I was more nervous for practice this week than I was the game. But as I kept going, yes, I did get to feel more comfortable as I took the first one, that first hit.”