Huber ready for his return to Steel City
CINCINNATI — Kevin Huber is going back to the stadium where he suffered his worst moment, fresh off the biggest honor of his career.
The Bengals punter was picked for his first Pro Bowl this week. On Sunday, he’ll be back in Pittsburgh, where he was hit during a punt return last December and broke his jaw and cracked a vertebra in his neck.
“I’ll get someone to write a book about it,” Huber said. “It’s been a long year. This time a year ago, I was getting ready to watch the last game of the year in a neck brace. Now, we’re going back there in the playoffs, being selected to the Pro Bowl.”
The Bengals (10-4-1) will play the Steelers (10-5) for the AFC North title, with the loser getting a wild card.
Huber has managed to stay healthy this week. Several of his teammates have missed practice with the flu, which has spread throughout the region. Six players were listed on the injury report Friday.
Safety Reggie Nelson and cornerbacks Adam “Pacman” Jones and Terence Newman were listed as questionable because of the flu. Kicker Mike Nugent and offensive lineman Clint Boling were considered probable despite being sick. Quarterback Andy Dalton said on Friday that he feels fully recovered after missing practice.
“I think it was just another 24-hour thing,” Dalton said. “I’m glad I’m past that. It’s crazy how contagious this thing has been. Hopefully we can limit who all’s getting it, but it’s definitely been spreading.”
