First Call: Joey Porter's new coaching job; a former Steelers linebacker questions 6-week return for T.J. Watt

Wednesday’s “First Call” brings word of a new coaching job for a popular former Steeler. Arthur Moats is less than optimistic about an effective return for T.J. Watt in six weeks or less.

A Pittsburgh Mauler wants in on the Dallas Cowboys QB vacancy.

Plus, we zip around the baseball world with updates on Gerrit Cole and Pirates prospect Henry Davis.

Easy Peezy

Joey Porter has a new coaching job. It’s in the XFL as a linebackers coach.

The former Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro is joining Hines Ward’s staff in San Antonio. The team has yet to announce its nickname.

Porter won Super Bowl XL with Ward in 2005. In his 13 seasons in the NFL, Porter played with the Steelers, Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. He was a linebackers coach in Pittsburgh from 2015 to 2018.

Ward also hired defensive line coach Paul Spicer, defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann and running backs coach Jimmie Johnson. They have all earned Super Bowl rings as well through playing or coaching.

Asking Arthur

Arthur Moats was a linebacker, not a doctor. But he’ll play one on the radio now that he is retired.

Moats, who jumps between multiple media outlets in his post-playing days, told 93.7 The Fan Tuesday that he’s dubious of a triumphant return from a pectoral injury for T.J. Watt in six weeks as many are now forecasting.

According to Moats, a torn pectoral muscle needs longer than six weeks to rehab.

Former Steelers edge rusher @dabody52 on @937thefan: "I tore my pec. After six weeks I still didn't feel good. I'm not optimistic that Watt will be able to push and pull like he usually does...if anyone can do it, it's Watt though."

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) September 13, 2022

“I know what it felt like at six weeks. I personally didn’t feel like I was ready to go out there and play in an NFL game,” Moats said of his similar injury at the end of the 2015 season. “Now, T.J. Watt? I feel like if anybody can, it would be him. But I’m not as optimistic that it will be this clean six-week thing, and he’s (going) out there and looking like the T.J. Watt that’s the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.”

The Steelers will reportedly get TJ Watt back in 4-6 weeks.@dabody52 warned @ThePoniExpress & @ChrisMuellerPGH that he may not be quite the same player.

Whole segment ⬇️

: https://t.co/Mjd2iWHyuT pic.twitter.com/ZDLQTHLKuD

— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) September 13, 2022

Moats said a sore pec could severely limit Watt’s trademark bull rush and his strong reach, even without contact. Moats said he is concerned about where Watt will be when it comes to pushing and pulling against NFL offensive linemen after just six weeks.

More from Tim Benz:

• Tim Benz: Malik Reed's immediate promotion from 'welcomed addition' to 'scrutinized replacement' for T.J. Watt
• Tim Benz: Amid confusing reports on T.J. Watt injury, 1 thing should be clear to Steelers fans
• CBS rules analyst says 2 crucial plays from Steelers-Bengals carry important NFL officiating lessons

One man’s misfortune

Like Watt, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is going to be sidelined for approximately six weeks thanks to an injury on his throwing hand.

So that’s when Pittsburgh Maulers punter Max Duffy stepped up on social media and offered his talents to the Cowboys. He boasted about his career passer rating in the USFL with the Maulers, thanks to a trick play.

He's not wrong ¯_(ツ)_/¯@Max__Duffy | #DropTheHammer pic.twitter.com/vIMTA4N7i8

— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) September 13, 2022

The Cowboys have — shockingly — yet to contact the 29-year-old Australian for a tryout.

Classic clash

The New York Yankees came back from an early deficit to beat the Boston Red Sox 7-6 Tuesday night.

Former Pirate Gerrit Cole got the start. He posted 10 strikeouts over six innings, while allowing four earned runs. But another ex-Pirate, Clay Holmes, got the win to improve to 6-3. Coles’ ERA jumped to 3.30, as he yielded three homers during the contest as well. His strikeout total of 228 leads the Major Leagues.

Holmes and Cole got lots of support from MVP candidate Aaron Judge. He hammered two home runs. Judge now has 57 on the year.

Aaron Judge does its AGAIN!!! pic.twitter.com/suiyV0lIPL

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 14, 2022

The Yankees have a six-game lead over Toronto in the American League East at 86-56. Boston holds last place in the division at 69-73.

Altoona trot

Meanwhile, in the minor leagues, Pirates catcher Henry Davis jacked a home run for the Altoona Curve Wednesday.

Big fly from @henrydavis32 and we've now set a new franchise record for homers in a season at PNG Field with our 68th homer of the season! pic.twitter.com/EXkyvTrLqq

— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) September 13, 2022

The 2021 No. 1 overall pick was part of a 9-4 win over Reading. For the young catcher, that is his third homer with the Curve and ninth on the season.

After battling injuries this year, Davis is only hitting .208 with the Double-A Curve. He was the designated hitter Tuesday.

With 101 at bats under his belt, Davis has a .694 OPS with the Curve.