First Call: Browns assistant coach questions Steelers’ fake field-goal try; Khalil Mack doesn't practice for Bears

Friday’s “First Call” has an interesting account of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ botched fake field goal.

And it comes from the Browns coaching staff.

We have odds on where Odell Beckham Jr. may wind up. Andrew McCutchen bids farewell to a former teammate. Plus, the Chicago Bears have injury updates on some key players in advance of their Monday night game at Heinz Field.

Not so subtle jab

Whether he meant it as a dig or not, it kinda comes off that way.

On the Thursday, Browns special teams coach Mike Priefer told the Cleveland media that linebacker Anthony Walker so quickly and so obviously noticed the Steelers were about to run a fake field goal at the end of the first half Sunday, that he was surprised it wasn’t aborted.

#Browns ST coach Mike Priefer says LB Anthony Walker had the #Steelers fake FG sussed out so fast (the second the wing went in motion) and the check called so quickly, he’s “not sure why they still ran it.”

— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) November 4, 2021

“It’s an easy check for us any time they motion,” Priefer said. “We are pretty sound. I’m not sure why they ran it.”

As soon as kicker Chris Boswell got the ball, he rolled out right. Intended targets Pat Freiermuth and Zach Gentry were both covered. Boswell got smoked by Jordan Elliot, resulting in an incompletion.

And a concussion for Boswell. Aside from that, the play worked out great.

Next stop?

If the Browns end up releasing Odell Beckham Jr. soon, you can bet on which team you think will get him next.

BetOnline.ag has odds up for Beckham’s next destination. They have the Las Vegas Raiders as the favorite at 7/2. That would make sense given the Raiders’ history of taking chances on guys who have had trouble elsewhere. Also, based on the release of Henry Ruggs III in the wake of his DUI case, they’ll need a receiver to replace him.

The Baltimore Ravens are next at 4/1. They always seem to want another receiver for Lamar Jackson. Plus, they’d probably like to tweak the Browns.

Given Michael Thomas’ ankle injury complications, the New Orleans Saints come in next at 9/2. The Buffalo Bills and — you guessed it — the New England Patriots are next at 5/1.

Beckham Jr. was “excused” from practice for a second straight day on Thursday.

Those lines are only for action on the prospect of Beckham Jr. signing somewhere before the end of the 2021-22 regular season, by the way.

The Steelers are at 50/1. They are one of the last four teams on the board along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals.

Banged up Bears

The Chicago Bears are still monitoring a number of important injuries heading into Monday night’s game against the Steelers.

Pro Bowl linebacker Khalil Mack didn’t practice Thursday. He sat out last week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, too. According to BearsWire.com, Bears coach Matt Nagy “said Mack remains day-to-day with his sprained foot, and he didn’t indicate anything about Mack’s status for Monday night.”

Running back David Montgomery returned to practice. That starts his three-week window for return off injured reserve. Montgomery suffered a knee sprain against the Lions back in Week 4, which has sidelined him for the past four games. Montgomery could return as early as Monday night at Heinz Field.

Although, given Khalil Herbert’s 351 yards on 81 carries, the Bears may hold Montgomery back to give him extra time to get healthier through their upcoming bye week.

Others who didn’t practice for Chicago include quarterback Nick Foles (non-injury/personal), defensive back Eddie Jackson (hamstring), linebacker Alec Ogletree (ankle) and running back Damien Williams (knee).

Tight end J.P. Holtz also sat out. The Shaler grad and Pitt product is recovering from a concussion.

Be well, Buster

On Wednesday, Andrew McCutcheon found himself a free agent after the Philadelphia Phillies didn’t pick up the club option on his contract.

On Thursday, one of McCutchen’s former teammates in San Francisco decided to call it a career.

Giants catcher Buster Posey announced his retirement after 12 years and three World Series championships. He and McCutchen were teammates in 2018 before Posey’s season was cut short due to hip surgery and McCutchen was traded to the New York Yankees.

Despite only overlapping briefly, McCutchen acknowledged his former teammate’s career on social media.

Glad I was able to be apart of your illustrious career! HoF career! Enjoy that next chapter @BusterPosey. pic.twitter.com/1aoF50gauY

— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) November 4, 2021

Posey was named to seven All-Star teams. He also won four Silver Sluggers, a Gold Glove in 2016, the National League MVP in 2012 and the N.L. Rookie of the Year in 2010.