In a stunning development 2 days before their 2018 season finale, the Pittsburgh Steelers placed place kicker Chris Boswell on the injured reserve list and signed Matt McCrane has his replacement.
- Chris Boswell has had a rough campaign in 2018.
During the Steelers home opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Chris Boswell missed two extra points and a field goal in a game ultimately decided by 5 points. Against the Oakland Raiders, Chris Boswell missed two field goals in a game ultimately decided by six points.
- Early on the Steelers stuck by Boswell, but after the Oakland loss, Mike Tomlin opted to hold tryouts for replacement kickers.
The Steelers have put Chris Boswell on IR. Photo Credit: Ross Cameron, AP via Tribune, Review
Chris Boswell won the try out, and although he missed a 32 yard field goal in the middle of the 3rd quarter, Mike Tomlin unhesitatingly sent him out to kick a 48 yard insurance field goal late in the fourth quarter of the Steelers win over the Patriots. Against the Saints, Boswell kicked field goals of 49 and 30 yards and made both extra point attempts.
As recently as yesterday, he’d told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler the following:
Steelers place kicker Chris Boswell on Injured Reserve, sign tryout kicker Matt McCrane. Talked to Boswell on Thursday and he thought he had turned the corner after three straight make, but turns out he was dealing with something.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 28, 2018
However, over on 247Sports.com, Jim Wexell is reporting that Chris Boswell entered the game against the Saints with a groin injury. That is certainly possible, but his name has not appeared on the injury report this week or the week before.
The McCrane Record
In the word of Behind the Steel Curtain editor Jeff Hartman: “McCrane has played in four games this season, and his stat line looks like a kicker who would be available in the waning weeks of the regular season.”
4 Games / 5 FG Made / 9 FG Attempts / 8-for-8 in Extra Points
With the way the Steelers luck has run this season, the Cleveland Browns will surprise everyone with a decisive upset win over the Baltimore Ravens, only to have the Steelers Bengals game come down to a last second field goal attempt by McCrane…
Other Steelers Injury Notes
Sean Davis returned to practice for the Steelers reducing the likelihood that Jordan Dangerfield or Morgan Burnett will play in his place. Antonio Brown also missed practice, leaving his status in doubt. If Antonio Brown misses the game James Washington will likely start alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster.
While losing Brown would be a blow, Eli Rogers‘ return and Vance McDonald‘s presence should give Ben Roethlisberger plenty of targets.
Vince Williams also missed practice, and meaning that L.J. Fort will likely start along side Jon Bostic.
