First Call: ESPN reports 'concerns' about Aaron Rodgers' wrist; NFL will investigate Ja'Marr Chase spit accusations

Monday’s “First Call” has a health update on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. We also provide some fallout from the Jalen Ramsey-Ja’Marr Chase spitting incident from Sunday.

Shedeur Sanders had an underwhelming debut in Cleveland. The Ravens won again. An ex-Steelers linebacker made a big play.

And the Steelers are about to play a surging Bears team.

Rodgers’ wrist

Steelers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a left wrist injury during the team’s 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon.

By Sunday night, ESPN’s Adam Schefter had an update. He reported “the initial concern is that Aaron Rodgers has, in the words of one source, ‘a slight break’ in his left wrist, but the Steelers quarterback will undergo further testing Monday to determine the full extent of the injury and how long he’ll be sidelined, per league sources.”

Schefter added that Mason Rudolph is “shaping up” to start on Sunday in Chicago.

It now is shaping up to be Steelers QB Mason Rudolph vs. the Bears next week. https://t.co/yomu8yBPK0

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 17, 2025

It appears that Rodgers got hurt with 17 seconds left in the second quarter when Cincinnati defensive linemen Kris Jenkins Jr. and Miles Murphy hit him.

Rodgers braced himself with his left (non-throwing) hand. The 41-year-old stayed in for an incomplete pass before giving way to a Chris Boswell field goal.

All Mike Tomlin said after the game was that Rodgers would be evaluated Monday.

Looking it over

Schefter is also reporting that the NFL will review the apparent spitting incident between Jalen Ramsey and Ja’Marr Chase.

Those two scuffled during the game Sunday. Ramsey insists that Chase spat on him during their second dust-up. Chase denied those allegations.

But some video seems to support Ramsey’s claim.

An NFL spokesman said the league will be reviewing the incident between Jalen Ramsey and Ja'Marr Chase. https://t.co/eg9NxGkhlG

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 16, 2025

Ramsey was ejected for his role in the fracas. Chase stayed in the game.

Philadelphia defensive tackle Jalen Carter got ejected before the first snap of the NFL season in Week 1 for spitting on Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys. He didn’t sit out any additional competition because it was determined that he served enough of a punishment for missing that first full game.

More sports

• Madden Monday: Jalen Ramsey can't allow himself to get ejected even if Ja'Marr Chase spat on him
• Feats of Strength: Defensive patience, Mason Rudolph's solid relief lead to Steelers' rebound against Bengals
• Steelers RB Jaylen Warren, return man Ke’Shawn Williams leave game with injuries

Bears are boomin’

The Steelers (6-4) next play in Chicago on Sunday. The Bears are 7-3 after beating the Minnesota Vikings on the road with a last-second field goal.

Cairo Santos hit a 48-yarder to end the game and send the Vikings to 4-6.

Ice in his veins ???? pic.twitter.com/PVDGn731Q6

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 16, 2025

The Bears are now alone atop the NFC North standings. They’ve won four in a row. The Steelers have just one win at Soldier Field (1995). They’ve lost their other 12 games there, going back to 1936.

At 373.8 yards per game, Chicago’s offense is fourth-best in the NFL. Their 146.6 yards per game on the ground is second-best in the league.

The Steelers opened as three-point underdogs according to ESPNBet.

Wasn’t pretty

Shedeur Sanders’ debut with the Cleveland Browns didn’t go well.

The highly publicized rookie quarterback relieved fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel in the third quarter. Sanders went 4 for 16 for 47 yards with an interception and was sacked twice, finishing with a 13.5 passer rating.

That was part of a 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The defeat dropped Cleveland to 2-8. Baltimore moved to 5-5. They have won four in a row and are a game back of the Steelers for first place in the AFC North.

One of Cleveland’s few bright spots was linebacker Devin Bush returning a deflected pass for a touchdown.

DEVIN BUSH PICK-6!

BALvsCLE on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/lRzYXKHP2h

— NFL (@NFL) November 16, 2025

The former Steeler also had four tackles. Teammate Myles Garrett had four sacks.

Derrick Henry totaled 103 rushing yards for the Ravens. Lamar Jackson put up 193 yards on 14 of 23 passing. He was sacked five times, picked off twice and didn’t throw or run for a touchdown.