First Call: Broadcast and officiating crews revealed for Steelers-Patriots; another Viking out for Ireland game

We know the broadcast crew and the officiating crew for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game in New England on Sunday. We also have word about the first captain for Mike Sullivan in New York.

We tell you how some potential stars for the Pirates did in Altoona’s playoff game.

And we’ll let you know about another injury in Minnesota that could impact the Steelers’ game in Ireland in Wednesday’s “First Call.”

Watt watching Watt

CBS announced its broadcast crew for Sunday’s Steelers-Patriots game in Foxborough. It’s going to be Ian Eagle and J.J. Watt with Evan Washburn on the sideline.

It's NFL Throwback Week on the @NFLonCBS!

Here are the Week 3 Game Announcers pic.twitter.com/saY4wPvGjm

— CBS Sports PR (@CBSSportsGang) September 15, 2025

That’s the crew that called the Steelers’ win over the New York Jets in Week 1.

Meanwhile, the officiating crew for the game has been revealed too. According to FootballZebras.com, it’ll be the one led by referee Clete Blakeman.

That unit dropped 19 flags the only time it worked a Steelers game last year. It was the one in Denver during a Week 2 Steelers’ win. Ten of those penalties went against Pittsburgh. Nine went against the Broncos. The Steelers won 13-6.

That was the game where Broderick Jones had three penalties on one drive.

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Off the list

Another Minnesota Vikings skill position player on offense won’t be in uniform for the Steelers’ game in Ireland next weekend.

On Monday, we learned that starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy is probably going to miss the game with an ankle injury. Now we know Aaron Jones won’t be in uniform either.

The veteran running back is going to be sidelined with a hamstring injury that also kept him out of the Vikings’ loss to Atlanta over the weekend. That’s according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.

The #Vikings are placing starting RB Aaron Jones on injured reserve, sources tell me and @RapSheet.

Jones was ruled out of Sunday's game because of a hamstring injury. Now he's out for at least four more games. pic.twitter.com/61pxXlrrui

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 16, 2025

Without Jones, the Vikings rushed for only 78 yards. Jordan Mason had to handle the load himself at running back, posting only 30 yards after getting 68 in the opener versus the Chicago Bears.

Jones had 1,138 yards rushing to lead the Vikings last year. He also added five touchdowns on the ground and two more through the air to go along with 408 receiving yards.

J.T. wearing the ‘C’

A former Pittsburgh Hornet is now the captain of the New York Rangers.

J.T. Miller will wear the “C” on his jersey for Mike Sullivan’s new team. Miller is the 29th captain in franchise history.

The organization made that announcement Tuesday.

The 29th captain in #NYR history: J.T. Miller.

Details: https://t.co/l7UuXpvIK7 pic.twitter.com/J4ccP1tJRJ

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 16, 2025

Born in East Palestine, Ohio, Miller was taken in the first round (15th overall) by New York in the 2011 NHL Draft. But he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018. Then, the former Coraopolis resident was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks, where he was part of some off-ice static with franchise star Elias Pettersson.

Miller had a 103-point season in Vancouver in 2023-24 before being dealt back to New York last year. He posted 70 points in 72 games between the clubs a year ago.

Miller is the first player to be named a captain in New York since Jacob Trouba was traded to Anaheim last December.

Starting strong

The Altoona Curve got off on the right foot in their Eastern League Division playoff series.

The Pirates’ Double-A affiliate (69-68) defeated the Erie SeaWolves in Tuesday night’s Game 1 by a final score of 11-4.

Outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez was 3 for 4 with a solo home run, a two-run double and a two-run single.

Esmerlyn Valdez puts us on the board! pic.twitter.com/68VdHBY89F

— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) September 16, 2025

Meanwhile, highly touted prospect Konnor Griffin had a big night. The shortstop also went 3 for 4 with two singles, a double and an RBI.

Designated hitter Nick Cimillo went 2 for 4 with a two-run double, added an RBI single and scored a run, while second baseman Termarr Johnson hit two doubles and scored two runs.

Michael Walsh gave up one run on one hit and racked up three strikeouts in two innings to get the win.

Thursday is the next scheduled game between the two clubs in Erie at 6:35 p.m.

LISTEN: Pierre McGuire joined me on 105.9 The X to talk about the NHL and the Sidney Crosby trade rumors.