<P> In 2008, it was the Pittsburgh Steelers that had long snapper problems . During the October 26, 2008 game against the New York Giants, the team's regular long snapper Greg Warren was injured with what was eventually revealed to be a season - ending torn anterior cruciate ligament . Linebacker James Harrison, who had served in 2003 as the long snapper for the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, volunteered to replace Warren . In the fourth quarter, Harrison's first and only snap sailed over punter Mitch Berger's head and through the end zone for a safety . This tied the score and gave the Giants good field position on the ensuing kick, resulting in the go - ahead touchdown late in the game . Warren sustained a second ACL tear in December 2009, though this occurred on the last play of the December 20 game against the Green Bay Packers, giving the Steelers adequate time to sign replacement Jared Retkofsky, who had also been signed to replace Warren after his injury in 2008 . </P> <P> In 2012, Raiders' long snapper Jon Condo was injured and was backed up by Travis Goethel, a linebacker for a game against the San Diego Chargers . On two occasions during the game, punter Shane Lechler was unable to handle snaps that had bounced prior to reaching him . On another attempt, Lechler took his position much closer to the line of scrimmage than is normal for a punter so as to decrease the distance Goethel needed to accurately snap the ball . Though the snap was adequate, the decreased distance resulted in a block . </P> <P> On December 11, 2016, when Jon Dorenbos was injured, Philadelphia Eagles put tight end Brent Celek to fill in, but after his poor performance as a long snapper, and his injury, Eagles was forced to go for it on fourth down . </P>

How to become a long snapper in the nfl