Mitch Wishnowsky is back on the New England Patriots’ practice squad after another short-term stint handling punting duties in Week 2.
The veteran specialist was elevated for Sunday’s 20-3 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, his second appearance in as many weeks, and he handled four punts in the home opener at Gillette Stadium. Wishnowsky averaged 46.3 yards per punt with a net of 41.0, uncorked a long of 54 yards, and pinned one kick inside the opposing 20-yard line. He also took on holding duties as kicker Andy Borregales finished 2-of-3 on field goals and 2-of-2 on extra points.
With Bryce Baringer opening the regular season on injured reserve, the Patriots turned to Wishnowsky after signing him to the practice squad in Foxborough when the unit was formed. The 34-year-old right-footed punter has now logged 16 special teams snaps, with no touchbacks, and earlier produced 44.3 yards per punt in his 2026 debut against All-Pro Seattle Seahawks returner Rashid Shaheed.
Wishnowsky entered the league as a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, going No. 110 overall. He spent six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and later had stops with the Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills. The former Ray Guy Award winner, who came through Australia, Santa Barbara City College and the University of Utah, has appeared in 107 games and owns career totals of 352 punts for 16,182 yards with a long of 74, along with 236 kickoffs.
He still has one more standard elevation available this season before the Patriots would need to move him to the active roster for him to play again.
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