The Pittsburgh Steelers announced they have released kicker Shaun Suisham after he failed to pass a physical. The 34-year-old veteran kicker tore his ACL in last year’s Hall of Fame Game and recently said he wasn’t sure whether he’d be ready in time for the start of training camp. He hadn’t attempted a kick in the 10 months since his injury.
In a statement, Suisham said:
“Thank you Pittsburgh and all of Steelers Nation!
Unfortunately, the injury I sustained in the Pro Hall of Fame Game last preseason was catastrophic and has proven to be critical to continuing to my career. My journey in the NFL has come to a crossroads.
I was raised in Wallaceburg, Ontario, as a hockey player and have been on an improbable 16-year journey as a kicker, competing at the highest level. The absolute nature of my position has given me the opportunity to test my resolve, and I have grown both professionally and as a man.
Undoubtedly, I will miss the challenge of game day and the preparation that is required. Change is hard, but I’m comfortable with where I am as a husband and father.
I will always be grateful to every team and coach that has given me an opportunity to compete in the NFL. I am especially grateful to everyone — teammates, coaches and fans — in our adopted hometown of Pittsburgh, PA.”
In 2014, Suisham signed a four-year, $12.5 million extension, making him the eighth highest-paid kicker in the NFL. By releasing him, Pittsburgh saves $2.4 million in cap space.
Suisham had been with the Steelers since 2010 (he previously played with the Dallas Cowboys and Washington). In his five years wearing the black and gold, he became the franchise’s most accurate kicker. He made 89.7 percent of his field goals — in 2013, he made 93.8 percent of his kicks, and his career-long kick came in 2014 when he made a 53-yarder.
Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said in a statement, “Unfortunately Shaun incurred a setback in his recovery from knee surgery that won’t allow him to compete in a timely manner. Shaun has played a significant role in our success during his time in Pittsburgh. He has been the consummate professional on the field and in our community. We wish he and his family all the best in the future.”
Pittsburgh had hoped Suisham and kicker Chris Boswell, who took over for the injured Suisham last year (after a bit of a search by Pittsburgh and some trial-and-error), would compete for the starting kicker role, but the Steelers will now turn to Boswell. In the 2015 regular season, Boswell was 29-for-32 (90.6 percent) with a season-long kick of 51 yards. He was a perfect 7-for-7 in the 2015 playoffs with his longest kick measured at 47 yards.
To take Suisham’s place on the offseason roster, the Steelers announced they signed former Penn State running back Brandon Johnson.
Image credit: Steelers.com
