Logo

SOURCE NFL: Bills Reach Agreement With Former 49ers Star Punter With 175 Punts and 8000+ Yards

Bills sign punter Mitch Wishnowsky to replace injured Cameron Johnston -  Sportsnet.ca

Orchard Park, NY – September 30, 2025 – In a swift move to stabilize their special teams, the Buffalo Bills have signed veteran punter Mitch Wishnowsky to a one-year deal just days after starter Cameron Johnston went down with a significant ankle and foot injury. The signing, announced Tuesday, marks the Bills’ third punter change in only five weeks of the 2025 season — despite the team’s impressive 4-0 start.

Wishnowsky, 33, the Australian native and former San Francisco 49er, will wear No. 19 and is expected to debut this Sunday at home against the New England Patriots. He won the job after a strong workout Monday, replacing Johnston, who has been placed on Injured Reserve and must miss at least four games under NFL rules.

Johnston’s Injury and the Search for Stability

Johnston, 32, suffered the injury late in the Bills’ Week 4 win over the Saints when his plant leg was rolled into by linebacker Nephi Sewell during a punt. Medical staff confirmed ankle/foot damage, forcing him out of action.

Johnston had joined Buffalo in Week 2 after rookie Brad Robbins struggled, but his 37.9-yard net average ranked near the bottom of the league. Combined with the absence of any 50-yard punts, the Bills’ punting unit sat 31st in net yardage before his injury.

“We feel for Cameron, but he’ll come back stronger,” head coach Sean McDermott said. “Mitch brings the experience and consistency we need right now to keep our momentum going.”

Who Is Mitch Wishnowsky?

Wishnowsky’s path to the NFL is unique. Born in Perth, Australia, he transitioned from Aussie Rules Football to American football, starring at the University of Utah and winning the 2016 Ray Guy Award. Drafted in the fourth round by San Francisco in 2019, he played six seasons with the 49ers, appeared in two Super Bowls, and was twice named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month.

Career highlights:

  • Career average: 45.6 yards per punt (40.7 net).

  • 2024: 45.2-yard average, despite a back injury that cut his season short.

  • Led NFL in 2022 with 52.5% of punts inside the 20; third-best in the league since 2019 at 45.2%.

  • Released by San Francisco in May, he had a brief tryout with Washington before landing in Buffalo. Known for his hang time, accuracy, and even a viral preseason tackle in 2019, he remains a fan favorite.

    Impact on the Bills’ Season

    The Bills’ punting carousel has been a rare weak spot in an otherwise dominant start. Wishnowsky’s ability to flip field position could be crucial, especially against the Patriots, who lead the NFL in punt return average with Marcus Jones.

    General manager Brandon Beane praised the signing: “Mitch is a proven veteran who has played on the biggest stage. We believe he’ll step in seamlessly.”

    If Wishnowsky delivers, the Bills could extend his stay. If not, Johnston may reclaim the job later this season. Either way, Buffalo’s pursuit of a Super Bowl berth continues — now with a new Aussie leg in the mix.

    Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
    Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side