First Call: Najee Harris joins other RBs in strategy session; news on 2 former Steelers

Steelers running back Najee Harris is part of a group of players at his position trying to influence change in the NFL’s cost structure that is deflating their salaries.

There’s news regarding two former Steelers in other cities and surrounding the Cleveland Browns.

Plus we see how the Pittsburgh Steeltoes rugby team did in its first home showcase event.

So now what?

Steelers running back Najee Harris was reportedly part of a Zoom call with other NFL players at his same position Saturday. It was put together by Los Angeles Chargers star Austin Ekeler. The goal was to get players at the position on the same page to figure out how to increase the amount of NFL salary cap dollars allocated to running backs.

Others included former Penn State and New York Giants standout Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry (Tennessee) and Nick Chubb (Cleveland).

According to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, “The running backs kicked around ideas during the call, but no major plans emerged from the meeting.”

Ideas that have been thrown around in the media have included no-showing training camp, creating a separate pool of funds from the league to reward backs who hit certain incentives and restructuring the franchise tag system.

“Right now, there’s really nothing we can do,” Chubb said Sunday. “We’re kind of handcuffed with the situation. We’re the only position that our production hurts us the most. If we go out there and run 2,000 yards with so many carries, the next year they’re going to say, you’re probably worn down. It’s tough. … It hurts us at the end of the day.”

As for Harris specifically, he is entering the third year of his entry-level contract. The former first-round draft choice will be told after this season if the team plans to pick up his fifth-year option.

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The scoop on Coop

The Cleveland Browns have an early training camp injury situation to watch.

Leading receiver Amari Cooper left Day 2 of practices after suffering an undisclosed injury. That’s according to Cleveland.com.

He underwent core muscle surgery this offseason. General manager Andrew Berry referred to the injury as a “tweak.” But he didn’t specify where, how or when Cooper was injured. Although he did insist it wasn’t related to the surgery.

#Browns GM Andrew Berry said Amari Cooper suffered a “minor tweak” today not related to his core muscle surgery

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) July 23, 2023

Cooper led the franchise with 78 catches, 1,160 yards, a 14.9 yards per catch average and nine touchdowns. Nine of those catches, one of those touchdowns and 152 of those yards came over two games against the Steelers.

Familiar face. New place?

Former Steelers tackle Chris Hubbard is getting a look from an AFC rival.

Via Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, he worked out with the Tennessee Titans.

The #Titans, looking for tackle help, worked out both FAs OT George Fant and Chris Hubbard.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 22, 2023

Titans starting right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was suspended for the first six games of the 2023 NFL season for violating the league’s gambling policy.

Hubbard was in Pittsburgh from 2013-17, starting 10 games his final season. He then signed with the Browns in advance of the 2018 campaign and spent five seasons in Cleveland.

Speaking of ex-Steelers, Chase Claypool is starting the year on the physiclaly unable to perform list in Chicago. According to SteelersNow.com, the wideout suffered a soft tissue injury in OTAs and it is not fully healed as of yet.

Hometown advantage

The Premiere Rugby Sevens league made its barnstorming stop in Pittsburgh on Sunday. And the hometown Pittsburgh Steeltoes men’s team made the most of its Highmark Stadium debut.

They won the PR7s Eastern Conference Finals defeating the Texas Team 33-5 in the semifinal and the Southern Headliners (Memphis) 21-19 in the final.

Scenes from a great day at the stadium with @prsevens bringing their Eastern Conference playoffs to the fans here in Pittsburgh.

Great to see @steeltoespr7s repping the black & yellow, and thanks to all the fans who came out! pic.twitter.com/CqcLHDQdRE

— Highmark Stadium (@highmarkstadium) July 23, 2023

With their two wins, the Steeltoes qualified for the Premier Rugby Sevens 2023 Championship in Washington, D.C., which will take place on FS1 on Aug. 6.

The women’s Steeltoes team lost their semifinal to the New York Locals 22-14, followed by a 29-0 loss to the Texas Team in the third-place place match.