Cincinnati Bengals punter Kevin Huber suffered a fractured jaw after taking a massive hit from the Steelers’ special teams player Terence Gavin last night, during Pittsburgh’s 30-20 win.
During the first quarter, Antonio Brown of Pittsburgh returned a punt from Huber, leaving the kicker as one of the few Bengals present to make a tackle. The Steelers’ Terence Gavin came in for a block with his helmet down, knocking Huber to the ground, leaving the punter with a bleeding face.
No flag was called during the play, though it’s likely that Gavin will be fined by the NFL for the hit. It was later reported that Cincinnati-born Huber suffered a fractured jaw during the play, and wouldn’t be returning to the game.
Huber gets smashed by the Steelers’ Terence Gavin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMS4nTP0iis
After the hit, Huber remained lying down in the field for about 3 minutes, before being helped to his feet. He then jogged toward the locker room with gauze hanging out of his mouth.
The Bengals confirm Huber’s fractured jaw on Twitter.
Huber has been diagnosed with a fractured jaw. #CINvsPIT
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 16, 2013
Kevin J. Huber previously played for the University of Cincinnati, and was a two-time All-American. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Bengals, after being regarded as being one of the top punter prospects that year.
Huber takes to Twitter to acknowledge the ‘get well’ sentiments from his fans:
Thank you all for the kind messages and keeping me in your prayers. It is much appreciated! #WHODEY
— Kevin Huber (@khuber10) December 16, 2013
No word yet if Huber will be missing any additional games.
Image via Wikimedia Commons.