The Buffalo Bills have signed Australian punter Mitch Wishnowsky to replace Cameron Johnston, who hurt his left foot and ankle last weekend.
The 33-year-old Wishnowsky joins the Bills after spending his first six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before being cut in May.
Wishnowsky was selected by San Francisco in the 2019 draft out of Utah. His departure came after he missed the final eight games of last season with a back injury.
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The Aussie earned the nickname “Boomin' Onion” for his strong leg and knack for pinning opponents deep in their own territory.
Wishnowsky, a former glass installer in Perth who turned to gridiron through the ProKick Australia academy, led the NFL in 2022 by placing 52.5 percent of his punts (32 of 61) inside an opponents 20.
Overall, since 2019, he ranked third out of 38 punters with at least 150 attempts by having 45.2 percent of his punts downed inside the 20.
He takes over from fellow Australian, Johnston, who was placed on injured reserve, after he was signed prior to week two.
Johnston, a former Melbourne Demons hopeful who was selected No.63 in the AFL rookie draft in 2011, will be out an extended period.
Buffalo has gone through three punters this season despite ranking near the bottom of the league in attempts.
Johnston was hurt in the fourth quarter of Buffalo’s 31-19 win over New Orleans on Monday AEST, when linebacker Nephi Sewell fell into the punter's plant leg.
The AFC-leading Bills (4-0) host division rival New England (2-2) on Monday AEST.
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