Tuesday’s “First Call” has a Pittsburgh Steelers’ signing of note along the offensive line. An ex-Steeler is all about the guy who has taken over his former position.
A former Steeler is finished for 2024 with the San Francisco 49ers.
And, high praise for Duquesne’s backup QB on Saturday.
Helping the numbers
The Steelers need some help along the offensive line. They found it in a former tackle from the New England Patriots.
According to Mike Garafolo, the Steelers are scooping up Calvin Anderson. He was released off injured reserve by the Pats in August.
The #Steelers are signing veteran OT Calvin Anderson, source says. Anderson, who was released off IR by the #Patriots last month, worked out for Pittsburgh today.
Rookie OT Troy Fautanu was placed on IR the other day. pic.twitter.com/aAoDTeuk5l
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 23, 2024
The hope is that Anderson will buffer the loss of Troy Fautanu. The first-round draft choice suffered a knee injury in practice last week and has been placed on IR. It is expected that Fautanu is going to miss the rest of the regular season.
Broderick Jones is back in the starting lineup at right tackle as a result. Dan Moore is on the left side. Spencer Anderson can also back up at tackle, especially once Isaac Seumalo gets back in the starting lineup at guard.
Calvin Anderson can help with those numbers. He has appeared in 46 NFL games (14 starts). Forty-one of those games and 12 of those starts were in Denver between 2020-22. Then Anderson got some playing time in New England last season.
It was the Patriots who signed Anderson as an undrafted free agent out of Texas in 2019.
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Meaningful endorsement
Retired Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey stopped by Ben Roethlisberger’s “Footbahlin’” podcast. He is giving a thumbs up to Zach Frazier, the new rookie who is manning his former position.
“I’m on board with him 100%,” Pouncey said. “He could be a staple here at the Steelers. Talking to him today on the field, and seeing his motivation. I also talked to the O-line coach (Pat Meyer). Super smart kid. Obviously had a great career at the University of West Virginia. The Steelers need that.”
Frazier has been solid so far in the first three weeks as the trigger man for the Steelers offensive line. Pouncey suggests that’s indicative of a high floor from which Frazier can work.
“The game will slow down for him as he grows as a player. I think he has all the the physical ability, the mental ability to be a great football player for the Steelers,” Pouncey added.
While his pass blocking could improve, Pro Football Focus has Frazier listed as the seventh-best run-blocking center in football already with a grade of 78.5.
Injury alerts
There is some unfortunate news for a well-liked former Steeler. It appears that Javon Hargrave is done for the season thanks to a partial triceps tear.
49ers DT Javon Hargrave suffered a partial triceps tear Sunday and now is likely out for the rest of the season. pic.twitter.com/7XDGQr3YEv
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 23, 2024
The nose tackle is in the second year of a four-year, $84 million contract. He had seven sacks a year ago.
Also, Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Joe Alt is going to be down for a while. The rookie out of Notre Dame was injured trying to block T.J. Watt.
TJ Watt comes alive.
????: #LACvsPIT on CBS/Paramount+
????: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/hAqQagcH86— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
Via the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Alt suffered an MCL sprain during the Steelers’ 20-10 win.
Big moment
Damar Hamlin made a splash play Monday night. The former Pitt Panther picked off Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence as part of a 47-10 win for the Buffalo Bills.
DAMAR HAMLIN PICKS OFF LAWRENCE.
????: #JAXvsBUF on ESPN
????: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/cSxknIWzDB— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2024
That was the first NFL interception in 37 NFL games for the Central Catholic graduate.
Hamlin collapsed during a Monday Night Football Game on Jan. 2, 2023. He went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the field. He then spent 10 days hospitalized, and played in only five games a year ago.
So far this season he has 19 total tackles and that interception.
Hey, hey, Heisey
Duquesne quarterback Jordan Heisey was named a “Prime Performer” by the NEC for his outing Saturday. Heisey was 17 for 23 for 161 yards and three touchdowns as the Dukes beat West Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday by a final score of 35-0.
Heisey hit Joey Isabella and Jermaine Johnson (twice) for scores.
???? roll the tape
Dukes down Bobcats, 35-0, in home opener pic.twitter.com/ApmfQA6Ht4
— Duquesne Football (@DuqFB) September 22, 2024
The senior out of Dillsburg, Pa., made a spot start for usual No. 1 QB Darius Parrentes. He missed the game with a concussion.
The Dukes next play at home Oct. 5 against the LIU Sharks.
