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First Call: Steelers coach IDs player who 'left some plays out there' against Bucs; 2 Pitt alumni start NFL comebacks | TribLIVE.com
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First Call: Steelers coach IDs player who 'left some plays out there' against Bucs; 2 Pitt alumni start NFL comebacks

Tim Benz
Tim Benz

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Trey Palmer reacts after scoring a touchdown Friday against Steelers cornerback James Pierre in Tampa, Fla.

A lot of positives came out of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first preseason game. But one defensive back had a rough night. And defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is well aware of the struggles.

Also, two former Pitt players are on the NFL comeback trail. The Cleveland Browns suffered an injury setback on defense. And an ex-Penguins player is celebrating with the Stanley Cup in style.

All that in Monday’s “First Call.”

In need of more

With all of the new personnel in the Steelers secondary, the roster spot of cornerback James Pierre is anything but secure.

During Friday night’s preseason win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pro Football Focus knocked him for six catches on six targets for 92 yards and a touchdown. That’s a coverage grade of 39.6.

Sunday afternoon, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin admitted that Pierre had a rough night.

“Up and down,” Austin said of Pierre’s performance. “James is a tough kid, plays hard. I thought he left some plays out there that he could’ve made. We’ll continue to work with him. But I think he’s still in a position where he brings good value to the team. We’ve just got to figure out where he fits. Is he the fourth corner, or is he a fifth corner/special teams guy? We don’t know yet.”

Right now, it looks like a lot more of the latter and not the former. In fact, if rookie cornerback Cory Trice had not been injured, Pierre might be looked upon as the sixth corner and potentially out of a job.

Hamlin’s hit

Former Pitt safety Damar Hamlin played in the first preseason game with the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. It was his first game action since he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest during a “Monday Night Football” game between the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals in January.

The Pittsburgh Central Catholic product made an impact, helping to stuff a fourth-down run by the Indianapolis Colts.

After the game, Hamlin addressed his return and discussed the advice his doctors gave him.

Hamlin was credited with two more tackles on the day as the Bills won 23-19.

Another Panther returns

Speaking of former Pitt Panthers making NFL comebacks, Brian O’Neill is getting back on the practice field with the Minnesota Vikings.

On Sunday, the 2021 Pro Bowl right tackle practiced for the first time this summer after tearing an Achilles during a Week 17 game versus the Green Bay Packers last season.

“I’m really excited,” O’Neill said via the Viking’s website. “I’m just trying to follow the plan that they’ve got for me and starting to shake some rust off. We’re right on schedule, right where we want to be. They’ve done a great job. We’re not there yet but will be.”

O’Neill had some one-on-one drills against Danielle Hunter. He also took a few snaps with the first team during an 11-on-11 period.

The Vikings’ next preseason game is Saturday at home against the Tennessee Titans.

More sports

• Madden Monday on Steelers offense: 'I’m asking it to be daring'
• 'I'd rather do it here': Andrew McCutchen wants to chase championship with Pirates
• Steelers satisfied with results from 1st-round pick Broderick Jones in NFL preseason debut

Bad break for the Browns

You won’t catch a lot of Steelers fans feeling bad for a Cleveland Browns player. But, man, linebacker Jacob Phillips is the victim of bad luck.

The team had high hopes for the 2020 third-round pick out of LSU. But he has had one injury after another.

After playing in just nine games as a rookie, Phillips tore a bicep muscle in September of his second year. He only played in four games.

In 2022, he suited up for seven games, starting four, before tearing a pectoral muscle and ending the year on injured reserve. Now he suffered a torn pec on the other side and will miss this full season as well.

Via Browns Wire, Mohamoud Diabate or Jordan Kunaszyk could see more snaps at linebacker as a result.

Teddy’s time

To the victors go the spoils. Just ask former Penguins forward Teddy Blueger.

After getting a Stanley Cup ring with the Vegas Golden Knights, Blueger got to take the Cup to his home country of Latvia. While there, he stopped traffic while taking a stroll with hockey’s sacred trophy.

Blueger also got to eat a home-cooked meal out of the Cup.

After winning a ring with the Golden Knights in June, Blueger signed a one-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks in July.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

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