Explaining Kaleb Johnson's blunder that gave Seahawks free points vs. Steelers

Mike Moraitis

Explaining Kaleb Johnson's blunder that gave Seahawks free points vs. Steelers image

Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Kaleb Johnson might find himself in the doghouse after a massive blunder in the Week 2 game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Johnson once again served as the team's kick returner on Sunday and with Pittsburgh trailing 17-14 in the fourth quarter, he committed a massive blunder that gave the Seahawks free points.

Kicker Jason Myers sent a bouncing kickoff at Johnson, who failed to bring the ball in. Johnson didn't chase after the ball, which went into the end zone, and the Seahawks recovered it for an easy touchdown.

While it didn't appear that the ball touched Johnson, the fact that it hit in the landing zone on the kickoff makes it a live ball, which the Seahawks took advantage of.

Credit to running back George Holani for the heads-up play.

"Once a free kick crosses 10 yards, it's a live ball. If it lands in the landing zone, 20-yard line to goal line, any team can recover it," the Tacoma News Tribune's Gregg Bell explained.

If there's one thing Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin absolutely despises, it's turnovers like that. The rookie might get removed from kickoff duty after that.

That said, if Johnson wasn't aware of the rules, that's also going to fall on the coaching staff, and more specifically special teams coordinator Danny Smith.

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Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis is a freelance writer who covers the NFL for the Sporting News. Over his nearly two decades covering sports, Mike has also worked for Bleacher Report, USA TODAY and FanSided. He hates writing in the third person.