First Call: Ja'Marr Chase may miss Steelers game; surprising support for Damontae Kazee; Rashard Mendenhall mocked for 'Race Bowl' idea

The Pittsburgh Steelers may not have to contend with Cincinnati’s top pass catcher on Saturday. Damontae Kazee is getting some support from interesting places. Rashard Mendenhall can’t help making himself look dumb.

And a former WPIAL basketball star shows a little brotherly love.

All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.”

Bengals bad break

The Steelers may have caught a break as they approach Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

For the second time this year, it appears the Steelers will avoid having to battle the Bengals’ talented threesome of wide receivers all at once. Back in November, the Steelers beat Cincy 16-10 with both starting quarterback Joe Burrow and explosive pass catcher Tee Higgins on the sideline.

Now word comes from the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that Pro Bowl receiver Ja’Marr Chase is likely to miss Saturday’s game with an injured shoulder.

#Bengals star WR Ja'Marr Chase is likely to miss some time, sources said after the MRI on his separated shoulder today.

The expectation is that he is sidelined for this week's game against the #Steelers, and it could extend beyond that, as well.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 19, 2023

With Higgins out in Cincinnati during the first matchup, Chase and Tyler Boyd combined for seven catches and 104 yards, 81 of those yards coming from Chase. Higgins had four catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns from current starter Jake Browning last week. Boyd chipped in with 53 yards on two catches.

In Kazee’s corner

Damontae Kazee is getting support from some surprising places. The Steelers safety has been suspended the rest of the season by the NFL in the wake of his hit Saturday on Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman.

One of those who sympathizes with Kazee is a former Steelers defensive back who is now with the Indianapolis team. It’s Colts defensive backs coach Mike Mitchell.

Mike Mitchell was always the best when with the Steelers. Now, he's a *Colts* coach - and tacitly defends Damontae Kazee's hit on Colts WR Michael Pittman pic.twitter.com/T1n2Wv1hAe

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 19, 2023

Even legendary quarterback and longtime Steelers nemesis Tom Brady is seeing Kazee’s side of the argument. He put the onus for hits like his on quarterbacks who need to throw more accurate passes.

Tom Brady speaks on the Kazee suspension pic.twitter.com/28c3uqkMme

— ????️⚡️ (@chicagoBRIZ) December 18, 2023

Kazee will forfeit $208,333 in salary for the remainder of the regular season. His base salary is $1.25 million this year; he is signed for $3 million for 2024.

Kazee’s agent, Ronald Turner, told TribLive that Kazee will appeal the suspension. The appeal will be heard by former NFL players Derrick Brooks or James Thrash, the hearing officers jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.

Another minus for Mendenhall

Former Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall has made a habit of posting dumb things on social media. His latest is a real doozy.

On Monday, Mendenhall suggested that the NFL turn the Pro Bowl into a racially divided showdown of skin color.

I'm sick of average white guys commenting on football. Y'all not even good at football. Can we please replace the Pro Bowl with an All-Black vs. All-White bowl so these cats can stop trying to teach me who's good at football. I'm better than ur goat.

— Rashard Mendenhall (@R_Mendenhall) December 18, 2023

Interesting timing for that statement, seeing as how running back Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers is an MVP candidate and has more than twice the yards from scrimmage that Mendenhall does in his career.

Replies to Mendenhall’s post were about as brutal as you would expect.

Which team gets Mahomes

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) December 18, 2023

I love so much that Jason Sehorn is trending by Rashard Mendenhall tweeting that we need to replace the Pro Bowl with a Race Bowl & he's the only white CB anyone can think of. pic.twitter.com/FX5uOBWpa6

— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) December 18, 2023

Rashard Mendenhall seems unaware that we are currently in the Golden Age of white cornerbacks (two exist) https://t.co/yTt3Mm5sJl pic.twitter.com/SSl2sfDzvH

— Guy P. Football (@Guy_P_Football) December 18, 2023

Rashard Mendenhall on LifeAlert pic.twitter.com/kZiehJN4a7

— Chuck Bass (@ChuckBassFF) December 19, 2023

Rashard Mendenhall’d publicist today: pic.twitter.com/w1NXeEdXKB

— dylan (@dpyckles) December 18, 2023

Hey Rashard Mendenhall!!! https://t.co/qcx5cwIvqP pic.twitter.com/di3hWPUY5n

— Dillon Phelps (@TheDillonPhelps) December 18, 2023

Well, I know one thing for sure. If Mendenhall is going to play in the alumni version of the Race Bowl, he better hope Clay Matthews isn’t lined up for the “other team.”

Didn’t really think this one through, did you Rashard?

Showing the love

Chartiers Valley product and one-time Duquesne basketball player T.J. McConnell showed his support for his sister, Megan, on Monday.

The Indiana Pacers guard arrived at his game wearing Megan’s jersey. She is also now a guard with Duquesne.

T.J. McConnell arrived in his sister's @DuqWBB jersey tonight.

"Love you, Meg!" ???? pic.twitter.com/c4DnMTXM3z

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 18, 2023

T.J. McConnell ended up with 10 points, five rebounds and eight assists in 20 minutes for the Pacers in Monday’s 151-127 loss to the L.A. Clippers — all above his season averages. Meg McConnell is averaging 12.6 points, eight rebounds and four assists for the Dukes (6-4) this year. They next play Maine on Wednesday afternoon in a tournament at Tulane.

Megan McConnell’s teammate Tess Myers was just named Atlantic-10 player of the week on Monday for her 35 point performance over Longwood on Dec. 14. The North Catholic product hit a program record 11 3-point field goals in that game.