Ben Roethlisberger wants a certain Pittsburgh Steelers pass catcher to have an increased role next season. Former Steeler James Washington may have a new home soon.

Tuesday night was on tilt in the NHL’s Metropolitan Division. Pitt and Duquesne are both on the men’s basketball stage Wednesday. And the Baltimore Ravens are spending big money to lock up one of their own.

All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.”

More ‘Muuuth

Thankfully for the Steelers, it doesn’t appear that Pat Freiermuth is going to need knee surgery. On 93.7 The Fan Tuesday, the second-year tight end confirmed that his Grade 2 MCL sprain should be able to be treated with offseason rehab.

Meanwhile, Freiermuth’s former quarterback is stumping for him to be a more frequent target in 2023. On his latest “Footbahlin’ With Ben” podcast, retired Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger lobbied for Freiermuth to get more touches next season.

“I think he should get involved in the game more,” Roethlisberger said. “Your best player is on the field, you’ve got to get him the ball. Somehow. Tight-end screens. Middle of the field. Get him mismatched on somebody. Whatever it is, I just would like to see him get the ball more — especially in the red zone. He is so dynamic with the ball.”

Freiermuth’s receptions were nearly the same as last year — 60 on 79 targets in 2021 and 62 on 98 targets this year. He had a lot more yards this year, 732 versus 497 in ‘21. But, to Roethlisberger’s point about the red zone, the Penn State product had just two touchdowns. He had seven last year.

So much for that

For Steelers fans that had visions of Roquan Smith wearing Black and Gold in 2023 (writer pauses to raise his hand), it’s time to give up that dream.

(Writer pauses again to put down his hand.)

The Baltimore Ravens have decided to lock up their recently acquired inside linebacker for five years. They’ll pay him $100 million to do so.

Smith was set to become a free agent after the playoffs. Baltimore acquired him from the Chicago Bears via trade earlier this year. Since arriving in Maryland, Smith has 86 tackles, two sacks, three passes defended and an interception in nine games. That interception came against the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.

ROQUAN SMITH INTERCEPTION!!!!

Tune in on CBS!! pic.twitter.com/7x8dkvb4ER

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 11, 2022

Smith’s contract surpasses Indianapolis Colts star Shaquille Leonard as the highest-paid off-the-ball linebacker in the league in terms of average annual value. Leonard makes $19.7 million per season.

Via CBSSports.com, over the course of the past five seasons, Smith, Leonard and Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt are the only defensive players to record at least 15 sacks and five interceptions.

More sports

• 5 ways the Steelers can build around Kenny Pickett, return to postseason in 2023 • Penguins travel to Montreal in support of grieving defenseman Kris Letang • Steelers sign 10 to reserve/future contracts, including 9 of their 16-man practice squad

Big Apple bound?

Former Steelers wide receiver James Washington may find a new home.

According to CowboysSI.com, Washington was in New York for a workout with the Giants on Tuesday afternoon.

After four years with the Steelers, Washington signed with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. But, thanks to a foot injury, the Oklahoma State alum played just 15 offensive snaps in two games this season. He did not catch a pass after coming back from injured reserve and was put on waivers.

Like the Cowboys, the Giants are preparing for the NFC playoffs. The Giants are in Minnesota on Sunday. Darius Slayton is the team’s top receiver in terms of yardage (724). Richie James and running back Saquon Barkley lead the team in receptions with 57.

Topsy-turvy Tuesday

It was a busy night in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins’ frantic 5-4 ping-pong victory over Vancouver wasn’t the only wild result on the evening.

• After trailing 3-1 thanks to two shorthanded goals allowed, the New Jersey Devils scored four unanswered to top Carolina 5-3. Two of those goals came from Dawson Mercer and Jesper Boqvist during the last minute of the second period. Mercer’s was a beauty.

No mercy. Yes Mercer. pic.twitter.com/f69FiQHob0

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 11, 2023

After winning 11 in a row, the Hurricanes have now lost four straight.

• Despite 40 saves from former Penguin Marc-Andre Fleury, the New York Rangers edged the Minnesota Wild 4-3 in a shootout.

• New York’s other team lost in a shootout. The Islanders dropped a 2-1 contest at home against the Central Division-leading Dallas Stars. Jason Robertson scored Dallas’ only goal (29) in regulation, and the lone goal of the shootout.

So that means the Hurricanes’ (57) lead atop the Metro is down to two points over the second-place Devils (55). The Rangers are third with 53 points.

The idle Washington Capitals have 52 points in fourth place. The Penguins are next with 48. The Pens and Caps currently own the Eastern Conference’s two wild-card spots.

The Islanders are one spot behind the Pens with 47 points.

Wild Wednesday

The men’s basketball teams for Pitt and Duquesne both tipoff at 7 p.m. Wednesday night. Both clubs are on the road battling conference foes after losses their last times in action.

The Panthers are in Durham, N.C., to square off against coach Jeff Capel’s alma mater. The 24th-ranked Duke Blue Devils are 12-4, but 8-0 at Cameron Indoor Stadium so far this year. This will be the first time the Panthers have faced Duke since Mike Krzyzewski retired. New head coach Jon Scheyer and Capel were both on Coach K’s staff together as assistants. They won a championship together in 2015.

Pitt lost its last game at home 75-74 to Clemson.

As for Duquesne, the Dukes are in Philadelphia to face St. Joseph’s. Keith Dambrot’s crew dropped to 12-5 on the season (2-2, Atlantic 10) with a 75-73 loss at Richmond on Saturday. The Hawks have lost all three of their conference games so far this season.

As for Robert Morris, the Colonials are at Oakland at 7.p.m. Thursday.

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