Calvin Austin III will retain the job, even if his offensive duties increase.
One potential Steelers camp battle appears to be settled early. On Tuesday, Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin said wide receiver Calvin Austin III will be the team’s starting punt returner once again, as reported by Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders.
PennLive’s Nick Farabaugh added that Tomlin said he’ll keep Austin as the primary punt returner, even if the receiver’s role grows on offense.
Austin has been the Steelers’ starting punt returner in each of the last two seasons. He’s returned 57 punts over his career with an average of 9.4 yards per return. Last season, his average was 10.3 — seventh-best in the league among players with 10-plus returns.
His season highlight was a 73-yard punt return touchdown against the New York Giants.
CALVIN AUSTIN 73-YARD PUNT RETURN TD!!!!
(via @nfl)pic.twitter.com/E1kYcewfAD
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 29, 2024
Earlier in camp, Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora reported that the team’s punt return line was made up of Austin, Scotty Miller, Robert Woods, Max Hurleman, Ke’Shawn Williams, and Donte Kent.
If Austin ever misses time, those are names to keep an eye on as his potential replacement. Kent, seventh-round rookie, was listed as both a cornerback and punt returner when selected by the Steelers this spring.
Saunders’ report stated that the team’s two kick return sports remain open to competition. He listed Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, Kaleb Johnson and Roman Wilson as candidates.
Warren was one of the team’s starting kickoff returners in 2024; Gainwell started in that role for the Philadelphia Eagles.