First Call: How this week's QB injuries impact the Steelers; George Pickens comments on playing with Kenny Pickett

“First Call” for Tuesday looks at how all those quarterback injuries over the weekend may impact the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A former Pitt standout is dealing with an injury of his own. A new Steeler scouts their upcoming opponent in the pocket this week.

And George Pickens has a curious quote.

QB carnage

Week 2 of the 2025 season was a demolition derby for quarterbacks. Five notable starters suffered injuries.

Two of those injured starters may be absent for upcoming Steelers games.

All of these QBs are injured, and we're not even finished with Week 2 ????

- Joe Burrow (turf toe)
- Jayden Daniels (knee)
- J.J. McCarthy (ankle)
- Justin Fields (concussion)
- Brock Purdy (turf toe) pic.twitter.com/f0CMU6yKEh

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 15, 2025

Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow needs surgery on his injured toe. He may be out for three months, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Steelers are on Cincy’s schedule twice within that window, once Oct. 16 and again Nov. 16.

Jake Browning took over for Burrow on Sunday. He tossed two touchdowns and three interceptions en route to a 31-27 win over Jacksonville in relief.

As for J.J. McCarthy, ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert reports he’ll be out at least two weeks with a high ankle sprain in Minnesota. If that’s the case, he’ll miss the Vikings game in Ireland against the Steelers.

Should that be the case, Carson Wentz is next on the depth chart for the Vikings.

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Banged-up Buc

Speaking of NFL injuries, Calijah Kancey didn’t make it through the “Monday Night Football” game in Houston. His Buccaneers ended up beating the Texans, 20-19.

However, the former Pitt star left the game in the first half with a pectoral injury. According to the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the ex-Panthers defensive lineman will have an MRI to determine if the injury is just a strain or a tear.

If the muscle is torn, he’ll likely need season-ending surgery.

The #Buccaneers are hoping DT Calijah Kancey suffered a muscle strain rather than a tendon tear. The former would be a shorter absence. The latter would mean surgery and likely end Kancey's season. MRI back in Tampa will tell the full story. https://t.co/zxwAN7gDSL

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 16, 2025

Over his first two seasons, Kancey missed a total of eight games because of injuries. But he has also registered 54 tackles, 11.5 sacks and 21 tackles for a loss.

Pickens on Pickett

Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens didn’t exactly shower one of his former Steelers quarterbacks with praise.

Speaking with Josina Anderson after Dallas’ 40-37 overtime win Sunday against the Giants, Pickens explained why he’s happy to be with the Cowboys.

“The last place I was at (Pittsburgh), just coming in with a group of guys — who (were) good guys, but were all rookies, got a rookie QB — so I couldn’t really thrive and show the world the potential I have,” Pickens said. “I had to wait a few years, and then it eventually showed. I get to the Cowboys, and then (Sunday), I get to show it again, and we win.”

That’s a little revisionist history from Pickens. Yes, he came into the league with Pickett in 2022. But he also played plenty of games with veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky.

Now, though, playing with Dak Prescott, Pickens seems to be happier than he was by the end of his stay in Pittsburgh.

Pickens caught five passes for 68 yards and a touchdown in the game.

George Pickens for the lead!!!

NYGvsDAL on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/UOUi7QlsRu

— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025

That was an improvement on his three-catch, 30-yard effort in Philadelphia last week.

Advanced scouting report

As the Steelers get ready to face New England on Sunday, they’ll be preparing to face Patriots quarterback Drake Maye for the first time. Maye was the third overall pick of last year’s NFL draft.

New Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols was on the New York Jets last year. His team faced Maye and the Patriots twice, although their exposure to the North Carolina product was limited.

In the first meeting between the clubs, the Jets beat New England 24-3 in Week 3 of 2024. Maye made his NFL debut, but not until late in the fourth quarter as a replacement for Jacoby Brissett.

Maye went 4 of 8 for 22 yards. He absorbed two sacks along the way.

Drake Maye's first career completion goes to Kayshon Boutte pic.twitter.com/efZJHUhdVl

— Ben Brown ???? (@BenBrownPL) September 20, 2024

Five weeks later, Maye and the Patriots beat the Jets in the rematch, 25-22. However, Maye got knocked out with a concussion after just six passing attempts.

Here's that hit Drake Maye took to the head.#Patriots pic.twitter.com/R1EL4B0L7a

— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) October 27, 2024

“He’s got a lot of upside. He can use his legs. He is persistent throwing the ball, continuing to look down the field for his receivers,” Echols said. “You can tell he’s got a little hunger to him. We’ve got to respect him, make sure we come in and attack him and force him to play quarterback.”

The Steelers have won just 1-of-7 all-time at Gillette Stadium. This will be their first game there since Tom Brady retired. Their last game there was a 33-3 loss to open the 2019 season.