First Call: Ex-Steelers bask in afterglow of beating former team in Houston; Matt Canada angst extends to 'College GameDay'
Monday’s “First Call” features some very happy ex-Pittsburgh Steelers after their Houston Texans dispatched the Black and Gold on Sunday.
The “Fire Canada” movement is expanding to previously unforeseen territory.
And Chase Claypool may have already worn out his welcome in Chicago.
Salty Steve
Ex-Steeler Steven Nelson admitted playing against his former team with a bit of a “chip on his shoulder” Sunday. Now a cornerback for the Houston Texans, Nelson had an interception during his new club’s 30-6 humiliation of the Steelers.
#Texans corner Steven Nelson @Nelson_Island who had an interception in win over #Steelers his former team @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/nxEq2sGMvM
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 1, 2023
Nelson played for the Steelers during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He started 30 games and had three interceptions. After an awkward
“I keep all receipts. That’s what I always say. It just gives me that extra little chip,” Nelson said after the game.
Nelson claims he recognized the route the Steelers were trying to run to Calvin Austin on his interception based on remembering Austin’s touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders last week.
WE SEE YOU 21 ???? pic.twitter.com/HksuKXQEnQ
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 1, 2023
“Just a lot of film study. Like last week, they scored a touchdown on that same, similar play with the same player recognized. I recognized the formation. Got a bead on it and played the ball,” Nelson said.
That was Nelson’s first interception of the season and third since leaving Pittsburgh.
Not alone
Nelson wasn’t the only ex-Steeler on the Texans who appeared to be wallowing in the Houston upset.
Former Steelers offensive lineman Kendrick Green fired off this musically inspired tweet.
— Kendrick J. Green (@The_fridge53) October 1, 2023
Even when some followers on X clapped back at Green, he still was basking in the victory.
That’s cool just let me have today tho
— Kendrick J. Green (@The_fridge53) October 1, 2023
Green was part of a patchwork offensive line that opened up big holes in the run game and rendered the Steelers’ vaunted pass rush impotent. Houston ran for a season-high 139 yards and allowed no sacks.
But late in the game, Green suffered what appears to be a significant leg injury. He needed help walking off the field.
More sports
• Madden Monday: Kenny Pickett is bad — and 'if Mitch (Trubisky) plays next week, that's an upgrade'
• Kenny Pickett's injury piles more misery on Steelers' loss to Texans
• 1st-rounder Broderick Jones gets significant snaps in place of injured Steelers tackle Dan Moore Jr.
Crossover appeal
Cries to fire Matt Canada know no boundaries. Steelers fans aren’t limiting those demands to NFL stadiums. A “Fire Matt Canada” sign made its way onto ESPN’s “College GameDay” on Saturday.
Fire Matt Canada Sign on College Game Day this Morning! ???? #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/4pgh8KNTeW
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) September 30, 2023
Keep in mind, that was after the Steelers win in Las Vegas (the best showing thus far in 2023 for Canada’s offense) and before Sunday’s atrocity in Houston.
Hence, the “still” in that sign.
Let’s see what signs show up in Dallas before the Red River Rivalry between No. 14 Oklahoma and No. 3 Texas next week.
Speaking of network broadcasts, “Front Office Sports” kept track of all the Taylor Swift-related content during the “Sunday Night Football” broadcast on NBC during the Kansas City Chiefs 23-20 win over the New York Jets.
Final stats from tonight's broadcast, per our count:
Cutaways to Taylor Swift: 17
Commercials for Swift's new movie: 2
Commercials with Travis Kelce in them: 3
Commercial with Patrick Mahomes in them: 2
Commercials with Andy Reid in them: 1 pic.twitter.com/m0HSBIense— Front Office Sports (@FOS) October 2, 2023
Are they sure that’s it? It sure felt like more than that.
Chased to the bench
Former Steeler Chase Claypool was made inactive Sunday by the Chicago Bears as his disappointing stay in the Windy City continues.
Leading up to Chicago’s 31-28 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Claypool claimed that the team wasn’t using him the right way. Head coach Matt Eberflus insisted that wasn’t the reason for Claypool’s benching.
Matt Eberflus says the decision to make WR Chase Claypool was NOT related to Claypool's pronouncement Friday that he wasn't being used properly.
Claypool wasn't at Soldier Field today.
Eberflus says he expects Claypool to be at Halas on Monday.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) October 1, 2023
Quarterback Justin Fields didn’t seem to be thrilled about the decision.
Justin Fields said he found out Chase Claypool was going to be inactive yesterday during a team meeting and a reason was not provided by the coaching staff. The QB said he was frustrated to not have one of his best weapons here but reiterated that he wants Claypool on the team.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) October 1, 2023
In terms of why Claypool wasn’t on hand for the game, originally, Eberflus told reporters it was Claypool’s choice. ESPN’s Courtney Cronin eventually reported that wasn’t the case.
To clarify, per a team spokesperson, Chase Claypool WAS told to stay home today and not attend the Bears game as an inactive player. So what was stated by Matt Eberflus postgame is incorrect. Claypool was asked by the Bears to not attend today's game.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) October 1, 2023
Through three games, Claypool has four catches on 14 targets for 51 yards and a touchdown.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
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