Steelers vs. Chiefs: Corliss Waitman to make NFL debut as Steelers punter
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Punter Corliss Waitman, who spent the 2020 season on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad, will make his NFL debut against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Waitman will replace rookie Pressley Harvin III, who did not make the trip to Kansas City because of the death of his father on Christmas day. The Steelers also signed punter Cameron Nizialek, who began the season with the Atlanta Falcons, but he was declared inactive Sunday, leaving the punting duties to Waitman.
Other players on the inactive list for the Steelers are linebacker Buddy Johnson, tight end Pat Freiermuth, defensive end Chris Wormley and No. 3 quarterback Dwayne Haskins.
Freiermuth will miss the game because of a concussion, and Wormley is out with a groin injury. Both players were injured in the Steelers’ 19-13 victory against the Tennessee Titans last Sunday.
With Freiermuth sidelined, the Steelers will use Zach Gentry and Kevin Rader at tight end. Rookie defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk is expected to replace Wormley.
The backup offensive linemen on the gameday roster are tackle guard Joe Haeg, center/guard J.C. Hassenauer and guard Rashaad Coward, who was elevated from the practice squad Saturday.
The Steelers also have five players on the reserve/covid list: right tackle Zach Banner, running back Anthony McFarland, defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs and linebackers Devin Bush and Marcus Allen.
Robert Spillane will start in place of Bush. Allen had been getting snaps as the dime linebacker.
After being released by the Steelers in May – he was cut after Harvin was drafted – Waitman spent training camp with the Las Vegas Raiders. He was signed to the New England Patriots practice squad in November following a tryout.
Waitman, 26, was signed by the Steelers in 2020 after punting at South Alabama, where he was named the top punter in the Sun Belt Conference as a redshirt junior.
The Chiefs will be without All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce, who could not clear covid protocols in time to be active. Also on the inactive list for the Chiefs are quarterback Shane Buechele, linebacker Nick Bolton and offensive lineman Lucas Niang.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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