First Call: Steelers, Giants make moves before 'MNF' game; Mason Rudolph won't keep Titans' QB job long-term

Tuesday’s “First Call” features the Pittsburgh Steelers adding to the secondary. Meanwhile, the New York Giants add to their defensive line as the two teams prepare to face one another Monday night.

It sure sounds like Mason Rudolph is heading back to the bench soon in Tennessee. The Penguins have another tough test in Calgary on Tuesday night. And there are some awards coming for the Robert Morris men’s hockey team.

Secondary signing

The Steelers are taking steps to bolster their secondary. The franchise is signing cornerback C.J. Henderson to the active roster from their own practice squad. That is according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Rapoport says that Henderson was being coveted by teams that need corner help and are dealing with injuries. Therefore, the Steelers felt the need to keep him with the club by promoting him to the active roster.

The #Steelers are signing CB CJ Henderson from their practice squad to the active roster, source said. A former #Jaguars first-round pick, Henderson was in demand for CB-needy teams. pic.twitter.com/HqcM4SkRlC

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2024

This move may not just be about protecting an asset. It’s possible the Steelers have concerns about Donte Jackson’s shoulder. He was injured trying to tackle Breece Hall en route to a long catch and run during the first half of Sunday’s win over the New York Jets.

Jackson told me after the game that he thought he’d be good to go for “Monday Night Football” against the New York Giants. But the Steelers may be buffering themselves, just in case.

Watch Watts

Speaking of practice squad signings, the Giants made one of note in advance of the game Monday at Acrisure Stadium. Armon Watts is being called up to the active roster.

The #Giants are going to be signing DT Armon Watts to the active roster, per source. He was signed to their practice squad last week.

Watts has played in 72 regular season games with 22 starts for Vikings, Bears and Steelers. Other teams were eyeing Watts on the Giants p-squad.

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) October 21, 2024

Watts played multiple spots in a depth role along the defensive line in Pittsburgh last year. He ended 2023 with 35 tackles, two QB hits and a sack over 15 games.

The Giants might want Watts active to play against his old team. It’s also possible that the Steelers might have had an interest in reacquiring Watts.

After all, nose tackle Montravius Adams suffered a knee injury against the Jets. It’s unknown how long he may be out.

Watts initially signed with the New England Patriots this offseason, but he was released in August. He eventually signed with the Giants earlier this month. Watts claimed that the Steelers had an eye on keeping him this offseason, but the Patriots had greater interest.

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Losing out to Levis

It doesn’t sound like Mason Rudolph will be holding the starting quarterback job in Tennessee very long.

The former Steeler got his first start as a member of the Titans on Sunday. It was a 34-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Tennessee’s No. 1 QB is Will Levis. He is dealing with a shoulder injury, and head coach Brian Callahan says that as soon as Levis is healthy, he’ll resume the starter’s role.

“What we were hoping to get out of the season was a really solid and concrete evaluation of Will as a starting quarterback,” Callahan said. “The injury doesn’t help. The minute he’s back healthy, the intent is for him to continue to play. Hopefully, that’s sooner rather than later, because I’d like to continue to have him playing football. But I’m not going to let him go out there if he’s not where he needs to be to go perform. Maybe this week, maybe next week. But sooner than later, he’ll be back playing.”

Brian Callahan said the season is about getting a full evaluation on Will Levis. Callahan said as soon as Levis is healthy again and able to play, the intent it to have him do so. pic.twitter.com/4fJbIwL53Z

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) October 21, 2024

Rudolph ended up 25 of 40 for 215 yards with a touchdown and an interception against the Bills. He averaged just 5.4 yards per pass attempt.

Flames still hot

The Pittsburgh Penguins just lost in Winnipeg, 6-3, on Sunday. The Jets are the NHL’s last unbeaten team at 5-0-0.

Now the Pens get another Western Canadian team on the road that has yet to lose in regulation. The Calgary Flames are 4-0-1. They just lost their first game in overtime 2-1 Sunday in Seattle.

Jordan Eberle won it for the Kraken.

CAPTAIN KRAKEN ????

Jordan Eberle scores his first @Energizer overtime winner as captain of the @SeattleKraken! pic.twitter.com/5t6zMixKpl

— NHL (@NHL) October 20, 2024

The Flames are yielding 2.40 goals against per game. That is the sixth-best number in the NHL. Meanwhile, the Penguins are giving up 4.43 goals per game. Only two teams, the Nashville Predators (4.60) and the Colorado Avalanche (4.83), are worse.

To the victors

After a two-game sweep of Miami (Ohio) last week, the Robert Morris men’s hockey team picked up a number of awards from Atlantic Hockey America.

Winger Walter Zacher was named the AHA Forward of the Week. Center Trent Wilson was the AHA Rookie of the Week. Croix Kochendorfer was the Goalie of the Week after an impressive start to the season.

Zacher scored during Thursday’s season opener. It was a 5-1 victory in Oxford, Ohio. Then he tallied a hat trick during a 4-1 win at home for the return game Saturday.

Kochendorfer is a freshman from St. Paul, Minn. He won his first two college starts against the RedHawks, allowing only one goal in both games. Kochendorfer ended the weekend with a .960 save percentage, making 48 saves. He also registered an assist in the home opener.

Meanwhile, Wilson scored RMU’s first two goals of the season Thursday. He added an assist in the victory.

The Colonials’ next home game is Friday against Niagara on the front end of a home-and-home series, with the return contest against the Purple Eagles on the road on Saturday.