First Call: Kaleb Johnson's carries; George Pickens' future in Dallas, reasons for his 'MNF' punishment

Friday’s “First Call” tries to figure out a way to get more playing time for Kaleb Johnson in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive backfield.

George Pickens talks about his future with the Dallas Cowboys, as CeeDee Lamb discusses the reasons for their temporary “Monday Night Football” benchings.

We also preview Pitt’s game in Atlanta, the Western Pa. football rivalry between Duquesne and Robert Morris, the Penguins’ first game back from Sweden and a big weekend of local college hockey.

Getting going?

Steelers draft pick Kaleb Johnson only had 15 yards on five carries last week, but he looked a bit more productive and assertive in his approach.

For a back who was expected to get lots of touches his rookie year, Johnson has only 23 all season for 67 yards from scrimmage.

On Thursday, Arthur Smith described what it would take to get more playing time for Johnson.

“Hopefully, we get in a game where I can call 40 runs. That would be nice. We have yet to get there, to a 40-run game. It would be nice to do that on Sunday (in Chicago),” Smith replied.

That’s true. It’s also ambitious. The Steelers’ high-water mark for rushing attempts in 2025 has been just 29. Johnson has never had more than six.

If Jaylen Warren is still hampered by that ankle injury he suffered last week, that may create more of a chance for Johnson. Or, it could just be a lot more opportunities for Kenneth Gainwell.

He had 16 touches for 105 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Cincinnati Bengals last week.

Potential for Pickens

Former Steeler George Pickens has 908 receiving yards. That’s second-most in the NFL.

There is a lot of speculation about whether or not he’ll stay in Dallas after his contract expires at the end of this year. Here is what he said via Jon Machota of TheAthletic.com.

“I’d love to be back. Especially with (CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott), all the guys really,” Pickens said.

The fourth-year receiver was also asked about the prospect of what may happen if the Cowboys attempt to retain him with the franchise tag.

“I’d probably have to wait until that comes. I can’t really see into the future,” Pickens said.

Cowboys WR George Pickens when asked about his contract situation: "I'd love to be back. Especially with (CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott), all the guys really."

When asked if he'd sign the franchise tag: "I'd probably have to wait until that comes. I can’t really see into the… pic.twitter.com/awYp5VgaLs

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 20, 2025

My thought at the time was that the only way the Steelers would’ve been able to get Pickens to report to training camp and play the season without a new contract would’ve been to promise him that he wouldn’t get the tag after 2026.

In other words, the Steelers would either sign him in the 2025-26 offseason or allow him to hit free agency.

If such an offer were made, we’d never know. But, given the piddly return for Pickens (a third-round pick this year, along with a pick swap in 2027), my guess is that Pickens was unwilling to make any assurances about anything, and the Steelers felt it was just best to move on.

Well, Pickens moved on. The Steelers are still looking for a true No. 2 wide receiver.

Reason revealed

Speaking of Pickens, now we know why he was benched along with Lamb for the first drive of the game on “Monday Night Football” in Las Vegas.

Via Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, the two receivers were out for dinner and drinks at the Red Rocks Casino the night before the game and missed curfew.

Lamb denied an internet rumor that he was throwing up at the casino. He said it’s “a disrespect to even suggest that,” and that he “knows how to hold his liquor.”

CeeDee Lamb said he & George Pickens missed curfew before the game at Las Vegas. The two were having dinner and a few drinks at @redrockcasino Lamb denied he was throwing up at the casino. He said it's a disrespect to even suggest that. Lamb said he knows how to hold his liquor.

— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) November 20, 2025

Fair enough. Apparently, though, neither of them knows how to tell time.

Despite the benchings, Lamb and Pickens combined for 14 catches, 210 yards and two touchdowns to help beat the Raiders, 33-16.

Panthers slight dogs

According to ESPNBet, the Pitt Panthers are only 2½-point underdogs at No. 16 Georgia Tech this Saturday. That’s despite a 37-15 loss to Notre Dame at Acrisure Stadium last week.

Pitt is 7-3 (5-1 in the ACC). Georgia Tech is 9-1 (6-1). The Yellow Jackets have won all five of their home games this season and 10 in a row overall. However, their past two games haven’t been pretty.

On Nov. 1, the Jackets lost at N.C. State, 48-36. Last week, they barely beat 1-10 Boston College, 36-34. The Yellow Jackets can clinch a spot in the ACC championship game with a win.

The Panthers have two paths to the ACC title game. One would result in playing Virginia. The other would result in playing SMU. In each case, Pitt would need to beat both Miami next week and Georgia Tech on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Penn State (4-9) is a 7½ point favorite at home over Nebraska (7-3). West Virginia is idle before hosting fifth-ranked Texas Tech next week to conclude the season.

Duquesne is a 13½-point favorite at Robert Morris according to Fanduel. The Dukes can claim a partial share of the NEC title and the conference’s FCS playoff spot with a win over the Colonials (2 p.m.), plus a Mercyhurst upset of Central Connecticut State (noon). The Lakers are 10 ½-point underdogs at CCSU.

More sports

• Steelers OC Arthur Smith has 'trust' in QB Aaron Rodgers' decision about starting status for Bears
• Finally admitting his weight — 311 pounds — Darnell Washington is making plays for the Steelers
• Pitt offense, still ACC's leader in points per game, aims to bounce back vs. Georgia Tech

Hockey talk

The Penguins are getting back to action after the long recovery following the trip to Sweden.

The Pens host Minnesota at 7 p.m. Friday. Both teams have 24 points. The Penguins have gotten there in 19 games, Minnesota in 21. Pittsburgh is currently in a wild-card spot. Minnesota is just off that pace, ninth place in the Western Conference.

The Pens won in Minnesota, 4-1, earlier in the year. They also host Seattle (Monday) and Buffalo (Wednesday) before Thanksgiving.

Minnesota is red hot, having won five of six, allowing only eight goals over that stretch.

On the college front, Robert Morris (2-7-1) goes out of conference for a pair of games at Lindenwood (5-5-0) on Friday and Saturday. The Colonials women’s team (5-11-0) is also in Missouri to play the Lions (4-12-0).

As for Penn State, the fifth-ranked men’s team (10-4-0) visits Minnesota (5-8-1). The sixth-ranked women’s team is undefeated at 14-0-0 and has two games Friday and Saturday at RIT.