The Pittsburgh Steelers special teams continue to play lights out this season. After three straight games with a blocked field goal or blocked punt, Danny Smith’s special teams unit can now add a punt return for a touchdown to their list of achievements.
Calvin Austin III broke through with a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown to give the Steelers a 16-9 lead over the New York Giants at the 4:38 mark of the third quarter of Monday night’s game. It was the first touchdown of the game for both teams.
It also marked the first punt return for a touchdown by the Steelers since Diontae Johnson’s 85-yarder against the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 8, 2019. It was the first special teams touchdown for Pittsburgh since the season opener against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 of the 2021 season, which was a 9-yard return by Ulysees Gilbert off a blocked punt by Miles Killebrew.
Early in the fourth quarter, Calvin Austin III caught a 29-yard touchdown from Russell Wilson to give the Steelers a 23-9 lead. It was Austin’s third touchdown of the year. He also caught a 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown from Justin Fields in the Steelers’ Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Austin is the fifth player in Steelers history with a receiving touchdown and punt return for a touchdown in the same game.
Coming into Week 8, returners had just 10 returns for 33 yards on the year against the Steelers. Danny Smith’s special teams unit has been elite in all phases this season. The Steelers have built a special teams culture in Pittsburgh.
“I only want to work where it’s important,” Smith said earlier this week. “There are some places it’s not as important. It’s becoming more important throughout the league.
“They work their (butt) off for me. They do. They really do, and that ain’t easy and that doesn’t happen everywhere. I’ve been different places and seen different setups and cultures. These guys are special, they really are. I just love being around these guys. I love it. I truly love it.”
Steelers Locker Room: Calvin Austin III on Game-Breaking Punt Return
From the Steelers Locker Room: Calvin Austin III on his game-breaking punt return and expectations for himself.
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers needed a spark, with an offense strugglng in the red zone, and has been the case often so far this season, they got one from their special teams. Steelers punt returner Calvin Austin III returned a New York Giants punt 73 yards for a touchdown, breaking open a deadlocked 9-9 game into what would become a 26-18 Steelers victory on Monday Night Football.
Austin also scored a receiving touchdown, with his two second-half scores making all the different in the third straight Steelers victory.
