First Call: Patriots QB gets X-rays in advance of Steelers game; JuJu vs. James Conner; ex-Steeler linebacker scores

Monday’s “First Call” updates the health of Mac Jones as he and the Patriots prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2 of the NFL season.

A pair of former Steelers lock horns in Arizona. Another scores against the Patriots in Miami. A big fire starts outside an NFL game.

And the Pirates try to keep the winning ways going in Cincinnati after the Steelers left that city with a victory.

Pats problems

The Steelers aren’t the only team entering Week 2 with injury concerns. Their opponent for the home opener at Acrisure Stadium may be in the same boat.

Quarterback Mac Jones suffered a back injury during Sunday’s 20-7 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Jones played the whole game, but got X-rays following its conclusion.

According to ESPN.com, the Patriots canceled Jones’ scheduled postgame news conference. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported that the X-rays were negative and that Jones was getting further evaluation upon the team’s return to Foxborough.

Jones completed 21 of 30 passes for 213 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also was sacked twice. One of them became a touchdown for the Miami defense.

Let's gooo @BlessedJones33 and @MelvinIngram

: Watch #NEvsMIA on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/HMPWFSFpeW

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 11, 2022

That was former Steeler Melvin Ingram who scored the touchdown.

More sports news

• Tim Benz: First 'Feats of Strength,' 'Airing of Grievances' after emotionally conflicting Steelers victory in Cincinnati
• T.J. Watt’s injury to likely leave Steelers relying on 'next man up,' newcomer Malik Reed
• Najee Harris, Levi Wallace, Robert Spillane among injured Steelers after win at Bengals

Meanwhile, outside…

As that game was taking place at Hard Rock Stadium, a number of cars caught fire outside.

Apparently, the culprit was a grill that was left on at a tailgate. That’s according to Parker Branton of ABC News in South Florida.

Several cars catch fire outside Hard Rock Stadium during Dolphins-Patriots game.

Witnesses say a grill was left on from tailgating. pic.twitter.com/syTiwTNvZS

— Parker Branton (@ParkerBranton) September 12, 2022

My boy was at Dolphins Pats game and I was told someone left a grill on by a vehicle Unfortunately here is the result pic.twitter.com/rBW3nR7bJg

— Miami Mando ️ (@LakersCanes305) September 11, 2022

The fire was so bad in the parking lot, it could be seen inside the stadium.

Fire right out side Hard Rock Stadium. Not sure what it is. pic.twitter.com/R6sM7eSwqy

— Big E (@ian693) September 11, 2022

Ex-Steelers story

A pair of former Steelers went head to head Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs went to Arizona to visit the Cardinals.

JuJu Smith-Schuster was on the field for his first game as a Kansas City Chief. He was pretty good, collecting six catches for 79 yards. But he fumbled twice, losing one.

Meanwhile, James Conner picked up where he left off in 2021, scoring a touchdown for Arizona.

Still a touchdown machine: @JamesConner_

: #KCvsAZ on CBS
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/SO6ObDqAc2 pic.twitter.com/hsH88HJm5r

— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2022

That was Conner’s first of the season. He had 18 total touchdowns a year ago. But he was held to 26 yards on 10 carries.

The Chiefs ended up winning 44-21.

Following up

Now that the Steelers are leaving Cincinnati, the Pirates are heading there for four games against the Reds.

Cincy is just 56-82, but that’s still 5½ games better than the last-place Buccos. The Pirates limp into Ohio, having lost two in a row and eight of 10.

Bryse Wilson (2-8, 6.11 ERA) starts the first game of the series Monday (6:40 p.m.) against the Reds’ Mike Minor (4-10, 5.70 ERA).

The Pirates are 5-7 against the Reds this season, getting outscored 64-35.