Report: Bengals Punter Kevin Huber Has Cracked Vertebrae in Addition to Broken Jaw, Will Miss Rest of Season

The Bengals will need to complete their playoff push without their starting punter.

Kevin Huber was diagnosed with a broken jaw after being blown up by Pittsburgh’s Terence Garvin on a punt return Sunday night, but ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported Monday that the original diagnosis does not represent the extent of his injuries.

Huber also suffered a cracked vertebrae on the play, according to Mortensen, and will be placed on season-ending injured reserve.

[tweet https://twitter.com/mortreport/status/412662882589884417 align=’center’]

Garvin’s hit took place late in the first quarter of the Steelers’ 30-20 win and sprung return man Antonio Brown for a 67-yard touchdown. Kicker Mike Nugent handled the punting duties the rest of the way, averaging 40 yards on two punts, and quarterback Andy Dalton took over Huber’s role as the holder on field goals.