First Call: Patrick Queen's warning about the Ravens; Mike Sullivan on coaching against the Penguins

Tuesday’s “First Call” has a signing of note by the Pittsburgh Steelers. We pass along an important reminder about the Baltimore Ravens from Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen.

Mike Sullivan shares his thoughts about coaching against the Penguins. And Duquesne’s football team is honored for its home win last week.

Make no assumptions

Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen came to Pittsburgh from Baltimore in free agency before the start of the 2024 season. He still knows many people in the Ravens organization.

And despite all the Ravens’ injuries and their three-game losing streak, Queen has a warning about his former franchise.

He says Baltimore won’t go in the tank while defending their AFC North title.

“I know those guys. They’re not going to give up,” Queen told me Monday. “I think the biggest thing is, they’re just trying to figure out what they’ve got going on and find a solution for it.”

Even though the Steelers are 3-1 and Baltimore is 1-4, Queen’s teammates shouldn’t need the reminder. After all, last season, the Ravens were 8-5 when they hit their bye, two games behind the 10-3 Steelers in the AFC North standings, with a loss in Pittsburgh under their belt.

By the end of the year, Baltimore was 12-5 and the Steelers were 10-7 … before beating Pittsburgh in the first round of the playoffs.

Of course, the biggest difference now as opposed to last year is that Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) is injured, as are the likes of safety Kyle Hamilton (groin), defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck), offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle), linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) and cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf).

“It’s crazy how football changes year-round. Teams that are flourishing one year are struggling now. It’s just crazy how all the injuries stacked up,” Queen said.

As the Steelers host Cleveland (1-4) this Sunday at 1 p.m., the Ravens will also be at home against the Los Angeles Rams (3-2).

New additions

The Steelers are adding a few new pieces coming out of the bye.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Pittsburgh has acquired 27-year-old running back/return specialist Raheem Blackshear. He’ll go to the practice squad.

Veteran RB and returner Raheem Blackshear is signing to the Steelers practice squad.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 6, 2025

Over three years in Carolina, the Rutgers/Virginia Tech product managed 203 yards and three touchdowns on 52 carries. Blackshear also has 23 punt returns and 66 kick returns in his career.

With Jaylen Warren coming off an injury in Ireland, and Clavin Austin perhaps being out this week, Blackshear could be a return option and a depth piece in the offensive backfield.

The Steelers also signed defensive back Jack Henderson to the practice squad on Monday. He’s 6-foot-2, 215 pounds.

Henderson is an undrafted rookie safety. The Minnesota alum spent the summer in Carolina with the Panthers all the way up until final cuts.

More sports

• 'Nice to see those teams lose': Steelers invigorated by AFC North struggles during bye
• Mark Madden: Penguins are rebuilding the right way
• Steelers notes: Joey Porter Jr. ‘definitely… back for sure’ for Sunday’s game vs. Browns

Sully’s sense

Mike Sullivan admits he’ll have a little internal conflict coaching against his former team Tuesday night.

The ex-Penguins coach is making his debut on the New York Rangers bench Tuesday night (8 p.m.) in the 2025-26 season opener against the team he led for the previous decade.

“I’m sure there will be a lot of mixed emotions,” Sullivan said via NHL.com. “What I will tell you is my focus will be on the Rangers and doing our very best to set this group up for success.”

The Rangers will also play against the Penguins in Pittsburgh at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday.

“The relationships that I built with those guys were strong,” Sullivan said via Dan Rosen. “We had the privilege of winning a couple of championships together, and I think when you go through experiences like that, it certainly galvanizes relationships that last a lifetime.”

The Penguins’ home opener is Thursday night against the New York Islanders.

Bravo on the Bluff

A pair of Duquesne Dukes earned weekly NEC honors after their conference-opening win against Stonehill.

Tyson Meiguez earned conference Defensive Player of the Week honors. The grad student linebacker posted nine tackles (1.5 for a loss), forced a fumble, and recorded a pass breakup as the Dukes beat the Skyhawks 34-14.

That was Meiguez’s first game back from injury after missing the previous two games against Akron and New Haven.

Back in a big way. ????

Tyson Meiguez earns @NECFootball Defensive Player of the Week!

???? 9 tackles, 1.5 TFL, forced fumble & pass breakup in our NEC-opening WIN.

➜ https://t.co/uPsdsX5Dhn#GoDukes | @TysonMeiguez pic.twitter.com/2bnnlVn4Or

— Duquesne Football (@DuqFB) October 6, 2025

Freshman receiver Ryan Petras was selected as the NEC Rookie of the Week. The Bethel Park native had three receptions, 82 yards and two touchdowns, including a 52-yard score to make it 27-0 in the third quarter.

PETRAS. AGAIN. ????

52-yard touchdown for @RyanPetras5 from @Tyler2Riddell!

Dukes lead 27-0 in the third ???? pic.twitter.com/iSJg9VUxlC

— Duquesne Football (@DuqFB) October 4, 2025

Another one before the half!@Tyler2Riddell ➡️ @RyanPetras5 to extend the lead! ????????????#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/J5ckX7j616

— Duquesne Football (@DuqFB) October 4, 2025

Quarterback Tyler Riddell and running back Ness Davis also got NEC “Prime Performer” honors. Riddell completed a season-high 19 of 31 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns.

It marked his second straight game with three scoring passes and made him the second active FCS quarterback to surpass 9,000 career passing yards.

As for Davis, he rolled up a season-high 111 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.