Thursday’s “First Call” plays connect-the-dots between Odell Beckham Jr. and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Shedeur Sanders and a former Pitt wide receiver are dealing with training camp injuries. Plus, we check in on Najee Harris’ recovery from that scary eye injury in Los Angeles.

OK with OBJ?

A social media post from the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero has Steelers fans taking notice.

He claims Odell Beckham Jr. is getting a look from multiple NFL teams, and that the free agent wide receiver anticipates playing in the NFL during the 2025 season.

Three-time Pro Bowl WR Odell Beckham Jr. has drawn interest from several teams and plans to play somewhere in 2025, per source.

As OBJ posted himself, he is not retiring, and he continues to train in anticipation of being on the field soon. pic.twitter.com/phX0QxMBvU

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 13, 2025

That may interest Steelers fans because in June, Beckham told Bill Maher on his “Club Random” podcast that he had some offseason contact with Aaron Rodgers. As a result, he isn’t ruling out a chance to play in Pittsburgh.

“I love him, and we’ve had conversations,” Beckham said at the 42:35 mark below. “I won’t say that it’s not a possibility, and I won’t say that I haven’t had any communication.”

Beckham also said that he “loves” Mike Tomlin, and that he thought Pittsburgh would draft him in 2014. However, the Giants took him at pick No. 12. The Steelers didn’t get on the board until No. 15 (Ryan Shazier).

OBJ had nine catches in nine games for just 55 yards last year in Miami.

While many fans feel that the Steelers need another starting-caliber wide receiver, general manager Omar Khan tried to downplay that glaring hole during an interview on WDVE on Monday. 

Next for Najee

It sounds like Najee Harris is working his way back from that eye injury he suffered over the Fourth of July weekend. The former Steeler is now running with a weighted vest off to the side at L.A. Chargers practice.

Najee Harris is here at #Chargers practice working off to the side, running with a weighted vest on.

— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) August 13, 2025

The injury was the result of a fireworks accident. The Chargers running back is a question mark for Week 1 against Kansas City.

On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Harris participated in drills with a football, just not with the team.

The Chargers also have rookie Omarion Hampton, Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins on the roster at running back.

Bad luck for Bub

Former Pitt Panther Bub Means is going on injured reserve in New Orleans. The Saints made that announcement Wednesday.

The second-year receiver hurt his ankle in the team’s preseason opener against the Chargers. The 24-year-old ended up with one catch for 12 yards.

In his rookie season, Means put up 118 yards on nine catches with one touchdown. Chris Olave, Brandin Cooks and Rashid Shaheed are listed as the Saints’ top receivers. Means was battling with the likes of Cedrick Wilson and Mason Tipton for playing time after them.

At Pitt, Means posted 90 catches for 1,552 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was replaced on the Saints’ roster by offensive lineman Mike Panasiuk.

On Nov. 2 of last year, Means was also placed on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain.

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Shedeur’s setback

After a strong preseason opener, Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has suffered an injury. He apparently strained an oblique muscle while throwing Wednesday before the team’s joint practice with Philadelphia.

Via ProFootballTalk, the rookie out of Colorado “is not going to participate in Thursday’s joint practice with the Eagles and is unlikely to play in the preseason game between the two teams on Saturday.”

Sanders led three scoring drives while going 14 of 23 for 138 yards with two touchdowns in the club’s first preseason game against Carolina, a 30-10 win. He also rushed for 19 yards.

Now, though, the fifth-round pick is joining fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel and ex-Steeler Kenny Pickett among the ranks of the walking wounded in the Browns quarterback room. Those two have hamstring injuries.

Joe Flacco, at 40, is the healthiest QB on the Browns roster. As a result, Cleveland added Tyler Huntley at the position for depth.

The Browns visit Philly for their second preseason game on Saturday.

Listen: Jay Recher joins me to preview Thursday’s practice and Saturday’s game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Steelers

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