Friday’s “First Call” is full of Steelers-related notes, including a new film project centered around former coach Bill Cowher.
A pair of former Steelers running backs have new homes. The franchise seems to have interest in a running back cast aside by the Dallas Cowboys.
And the team won’t face a former teammate when the San Francisco 49ers visit Acrisure Stadium for the regular-season opener.
Cowher doc
MGM and NFL Films announced on Thursday that former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher will be part of season three of the “NFL Icons” documentary series.
Cowher is going to be in good company. Cleveland Browns legend Jim Brown, Chicago Bears linebacker Mike Singletary and Oakland Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson are also slated to be featured.
This is going to be an hour-long piece that will premiere Nov. 4. The NFL Network’s Rich Eisen will narrate. You can see it streamed live on the MGM-plus network (formerly Epix).
Others with Pittsburgh ties who have been part of this series include Jerome Bettis, Tony Dungy and Joe Namath.
Niners news
When the Steelers face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 of the regular season, they won’t be facing a former teammate.
Ray-Ray McCloud has already been ruled out for that game because of a broken wrist. In fact, he needs surgery and is likely to miss eight weeks, according to ProFootballTalk.com. The wide receiver would be able to return after four games if he is put on injured reserve after the cut to 53 players.
McCloud had 14 catches, 243 yards and a touchdown last year. He was also the team’s top punt returner and best kickoff returner.
Meanwhile, George Kittle is dealing with an injury as well. The star tight end has an adductor strain. But he’s only expected to miss a week.
Related
• Ben Roethlisberger: ‘Kevin Colbert and them drafted him to be my center my last year. Now he is playing fullback’
• 5 things to watch for in Steelers’ preseason opener at Buccaneers
• Mike Tomlin: All healthy players will see action in Steelers’ preseason opener
Snell yeah
Ex-Steeler Benny Snell has a new team. He has signed a free agent deal with the Detroit Lions.
The running back was drafted by the Steelers in 2019 but wasn’t retained after his entry-level deal expired at the end of last season. Snell will replace Justin Jackson on the roster in the Motor City. That’s because Jackson decided to retire at the age of 27.
#Lions say RB Justin Jackson is retiring from the NFL at the age of 27.
They signed former Steelers RB Benny Snell. pic.twitter.com/wnW0iifvmi
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 10, 2023
Snell totaled 1,096 yards from scrimmage in Black and Gold. He was a good special teams contributor, too. But Jaylen Warren’s emergence last year made Snell expendable this offseason.
In 17 games during 2022, the Kentucky Wildcat alum posted 90 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 attempts. He also caught two passes for 17 yards.
Meanwhile another former Steelers running back has joined Snell when it comes to finding a new home. Via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Colts have signed Jason Huntley.
A 5-foot-9, 195 pound product of New Mexico State, Huntley became a Steelers at the end of training camp in 2022. He hopped on the practice squad on Sept. 2, was released, but eventually brought back for 2023.
He was released by the Steelers last Tuesday.
Staying in the backfield
Since we brought up running backs and the Steelers, they are checking out a prospect from the Ivy League. It’s Harvard’s Aaron Shampklin. He got a tryout with the team, according to Aaron Wilson of KRPC-TV Houston.
Shampklin is 5-foot-10, 195-pounds. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in the spring of 2022. He has also spent time with the Indianapolis Colts.
The best season Shampklin racked up at Harvard was 2018 as a sophomore, when he rushed 172 times for 1,053 yards and nine touchdowns.
