Injury to Steelers LS Kam Canaday presses Vance McDonald into double duty
The latest injury at training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers involved one of their least recognizable players.
Long snapper Kam Canaday, who is in his third camp with the team, left practice early Thursday because of a groin injury. He was taken for an MRI to determine the severity of his injury.
Canaday’s departure came on a day when the Steelers had punt and field-goal drills scheduled. This forced special teams coach Danny Smith to improvise. Tight end Vance McDonald was used as the long snapper on field goals for kickers Chris Boswell and Matthew Wright. Trevor Wood was used on punts involving Jordan Berry and Ian Berryman.
“We know they are both capable,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “They both had an opportunity to display that in the course of practice.”
McDonald had a low snap that resulted in an aborted field-goal try on one of Wright’s attempts. All of his other snaps were converted for successful kicks.
Two players returned from injury Thursday: wide receiver Ryan Switzer (quad) and outside linebacker Anthony Chickillo (unspecified). Wide receiver Donte Moncrief (finger) practiced, but he did not take part in an 11-on-11 drills.
Remaining out were free safety Sean Davis (finger) and wide receiver Johnny Holton (hamstring). Outside linebacker Bud Dupree had the day off.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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