Cincinnati Bengals Sign Punter Shawn Powell

Dec 15, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Terence Garvin (57) tackles Cincinnati Bengals punter Kevin Huber (10) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

After losing punter Kevin Huber to a season ending injury Sunday night in Pittsburgh, the Cincinnati Bengals signed free agent Shawn Powell to take his spot.

Powell was a Buffalo Bill, until he was released by the team on Oct 4th. He signed with the Bills in 2012, as an undrafted free agent.

In his senior year, he was an all-american punter at Florida Stare, Powell lead the country in net punting. In his two seasons with the Bills, he averaged 44.7 yards per punt.

Head Coach Marvin Lewis said Powell will take over as the team’s primary holder on field goals and extra point attempts.

It was so obvious that the hit on Huber was illegal, by Steelers offensive tackle Terrance Galvin. His helmet made contact with Huber’s facemask on the hit that sent him to the ground, to open room for returner Antonio Brown 67 yard punt return for a touchdown.

On Monday, he was diagnosed with a broken jaw and cracked vertebra. Today, the team officially put Huber on season ending injured reserve.

The NFL announced tonight that the hit was consider a defenseless player on the play under league’s rules and that the NFL wants to “flag hits like that with 15 yard personal fouls. Well, dang took them 48 hours to realize it was illegal.