First Call: Justin Fields' injury may impact Steelers 'MNF' game plan; Giants right tackle ready for T.J. Watt; another WR target hurt

Justin Fields’ injury may impact the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game plan Monday night against the New York Giants. The team’s next opponent after the bye is flying high. One of New York’s linemen claims he is ready for the challenge of facing T.J. Watt.

Mason Rudolph had a rough outing for the Tennessee Titans, and another potential trade target is off the board at wide receiver.

All that in Monday’s “First Call.”

What could have been

After speaking with Mike Tomlin on Sunday morning, Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported that Justin Fields is likely to miss the Steelers’ “Monday Night Football” game against the New York Giants with a hamstring injury. Glazer added that Tomlin was anticipating sprinkling Fields into the game plan this week after he was totally absent from last week’s contest against the New York Jets.

“It’s going to be all Russell Wilson,” Glazer said. “This was a game that they were kind of hoping to use that two-headed quarterback duo out there. But (they’re) not really going to be able to do it now because of the hamstring.”

"I just got off the phone with Mike Tomlin. He said Justin Fields actually tweaked his hamstring." @JayGlazer has the latest on who will start for the #Steelers Monday night, and how much DeAndre Hopkins will play today for the #Chiefs ???? pic.twitter.com/d47srldzdH

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 27, 2024

Kyle Allen will be Wilson’s backup if Fields can’t suit up.

It would’ve made sense for the Steelers to experiment with using Fields in some situations, given his rushing ability against a Giants defense that has struggled to contain quarterbacks on the ground of late.

Over the past three weeks against New York, Seattle was led in rushing by quarterback Geno Smith with 72 yards. Cincinnati got 55 yards on the ground from Joe Burrow to lead them in that category. And Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts had two rushing touchdowns.

Fields had 231 rushing yards and five touchdowns in six games as the Steelers’ starter before getting benched for Wilson last week.

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All day with T.J.?

New York Giants right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor told reporters in New York that he wants to be left alone to block T.J. Watt one-on-one.

“I’m the most confident guy in this locker room,” Eluemunor said via the Giants’ YouTube channel. “I think you can see that through my play this year. I love it. I want to be on an island with him all day.”

Most teams try to help the right tackle as much as possible when they are playing against Watt. But Eluemunor, who is listed as questionable on the team’s injury report with a hip ailment, would prefer it if the Giants helped elsewhere.

“Having a young guy at left tackle, we have to do a little bit more to make him comfortable,” Eluemunor continued. “We will. But that will mean I have to do more on my side, which I’m completely fine with.”

Eluemunor was referring to Joshua Ezeudu. He is replacing Andrew Thomas, who has been lost for the year because of a foot injury. So Ezeudu will be opposite Alex Highsmith.

Last year, Eluemunor started against the Steelers when he was a Las Vegas Raider. Watt had two sacks and three QB hits that day.

So much for that

With Cooper Kupp likely off the trade market, the Steelers need to look elsewhere if they want to add to the wide receiver room before the Nov. 5 trade deadline.

On Sunday, another potential target was subtracted from the list because of injury. Jacksonville’s Christian Kirk broke his collarbone trying to make a catch against Green Bay. That’s according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Breaking: Jaguars WR Christian Kirk suffered a broken collarbone vs. the Packers, sources tell @adamschefter. pic.twitter.com/CksLa1B2qj

— ESPN (@espn) October 28, 2024

Kirk had 27 catches for 379 yards and a touchdown before the injury. The Jags lost 30-27.

Rudolph’s rough day

Former Steeler Mason Rudolph got another start in place of an injured Will Levis with the Tennessee Titans. Much like last week, it didn’t end well.

Rudolph and the Titans lost 34-10 to the Buffalo Bills last week. This week, they dropped a 52-14 decision to the Detroit Lions.

Rudolph was 22 of 38 for 268 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

Levi with the pressure, Nowaske with the pick! #TENvsDET ???? FOX pic.twitter.com/WP4cctc5cH

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 27, 2024

Kerby Super Star @JKERB25 #TENvsDET ???? FOX pic.twitter.com/PsexDI7ehv

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 27, 2024

Last week against Buffalo, Rudolph had an interception and was sacked three times.

“Unfortunately, it’s the same story — giving them some easy ones once again, putting our defense on a short field,” Rudolph said via the Titans website. “I have to protect the ball better and put our defense in a better situation.”

On the plus side, Rudolph found Calvin Ridley 10 times for 143 yards.

Up next

After the Steelers play the Giants on Monday night, they have a bye. Then, they visit the Washington Commanders on Nov. 10.

The Commanders had a thrilling finish to win their game Sunday over the Chicago Bears, 18-15. Quarterback Jayden Daniels connected on a Hail Mary to Noah Brown on the final play of the game.

HAIL NOAH!!!!!!!!!!

???? #CHIvsWAS CBS pic.twitter.com/nRr3sIF17K

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 27, 2024

That win improved the Commanders to 6-2. They were 4-13 a season ago.

Washington will not be coming off of a bye. They play the Giants next Sunday.