The Buffalo Bills may soon be in the market for a new punter after veteran Cameron Johnston suffered a lower-leg injury during Sunday’s 31–19 win over the New Orleans Saints. NFL Network reported Monday that Johnston is expected to miss time, leaving Buffalo scrambling for solutions at a position that has already seen change this season.
The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter when Saints linebacker Nephi Sewell crashed into Johnston’s plant leg during a punt attempt, drawing a roughing-the-punter penalty. Trainers immediately attended to Johnston, who walked gingerly off the field. He later returned with a brace to serve as the holder for Matt Prater’s 35-yard field goal, but the damage had already raised concern within the organization.
Johnston’s arrival in Buffalo came just weeks ago after the Bills moved on from Brad Robbins following the season opener. The 33-year-old Australian has played in 99 NFL games over his career, with stops at the Philadelphia Eagles (2018–20), Houston Texans (2021–23), and Pittsburgh Steelers (2024) before joining Buffalo. Known for his strong leg and ability to pin opponents deep, Johnston brought veteran steadiness to a special teams unit that had struggled with inconsistency.
The timing of the injury presents a challenge for the Bills, who are off to a 4–0 start and set to host the New England Patriots (2–2) in a high-profile Sunday night game. Reliable punting is especially critical for Buffalo given their emphasis on field position and complementary football under head coach Sean McDermott. The team is expected to work out potential replacements in the coming days, ensuring they have a healthy leg available if Johnston cannot suit up.
While Johnston’s status remains unclear, the Bills will need to weigh whether to sign a short-term fill-in or consider a more permanent addition, depending on the severity of the injury. Either way, special teams depth has quickly become an area of focus for a Buffalo squad that has otherwise looked dominant to start the 2025 campaign.
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