Steelers punter Pressley Harvin III to miss game against Chiefs after death of his father

Rookie punter Pressley Harvin III did not make the trip to Kansas City with the Pittsburgh Steelers and will not play Sunday after the death of his father on Christmas morning.

A Steelers spokesman said Harvin was downgraded to out because of “personal reasons.” Harvin wrote on his verified Instagram account Saturday that his father had passed away earlier that morning after battling a terminal illness.

Harvin’s father was able to attend the Steelers’ game last Sunday against Tennessee as a guest of the organization and Rooney family. Harvin’s grandmother, who he said also is ill, also attended the game.

The Steelers will turn to former punter Corliss Waitman when the play against the Chiefs, who at 10-4 have the AFC’s best record. The Steelers are 7-6-1 and remain in the hunt for a playoff spot with three game remaining.

Waitman, who was on the practice squad last season, was signed to the 53-man roster Saturday. The Steelers also signed punter Cameron Nizialek to the practice squad.

For the game against the Chiefs, the Steelers have elevated the following players to the active roster as covid replacements: guard Rashaad Coward, running back Trey Edmunds and outside linebacker John Simons. In addition, center/guard J.C. Hassenauer was activated from injured reserve.

The Steelers still have linebackers Devin Bush and Marcus Allen, right tackle Zach Banner, running back Anthony McFarland and defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs on the reserve/covid list. Wide receiver Steven Sims was added to the practice squad reserve/covid list Saturday.