First Call: Steelers reportedly adding veteran RB Boston Scott; a new WR idea; Dylan Crews' first hit off Gerrit Cole

Wednesday’s “First Call” features a potential addition to the Steelers’ offensive backfield. The wide receiver headlines continue to catch attention.

We look at Paul Skenes’ next start for the Pirates. And his former LSU teammate, Dylan Crews, gets hit No. 1 of his career off a former Pirates All-Star.

Boston calling

It looks like the Steelers are hoping to add to their running back depth. Via Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, the franchise will be signing Boston Scott to the practice squad.

The #Steelers are expected to sign RB Boston Scott to their practice squad, source says. After a brief stint with the #Rams, the former #Eagles back is set to return to Pennsylvania. pic.twitter.com/KKbappFw4x

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 27, 2024

Scott, 29, had been with the Los Angeles Rams before he was cut loose on Sunday.

The 5-foot-6, 203-pounder spent his first six seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2018-23. He accumulated 302 carries for 1,295 yards and 16 touchdowns, adding 71 receptions for 566 yards and one touchdown. He also has three postseason touchdowns.

Scott is veteran insurance at the position as Cordarrelle Patterson will back up Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris in the Steelers’ backfield under new coordinator Arthur Smith.

So much for that idea

For about 48 hours Steelers fans started to warm up to the notion of the team picking up oft-injured Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick.

That’s not happening now. He’ll sign with the Detroit Lions, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

A new home: Former Broncos WR Tim Patrick is expected to sign with the Detroit Lions’ practice squad with the idea that he will work his way on to the active roster, per sources. pic.twitter.com/96iA9Z0qCB

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2024

Patrick worked with Steelers receivers coach Zach Azzanni for four seasons in Denver. During those years, he posted 2,009 yards on 143 catches and 12 touchdowns.

But Patrick hasn’t been able to play the last two years due to a torn ACL during a training camp practice in 2022, and an Achilles tendon injury in training camp of 2023.

Related

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• Justin Fields 'comfortable' in preseason 'growth' of Steelers' offense, his role in it
• Steelers deep along offensive, defensive lines after setting initial 53-man roster

While he’s out there

Another possibility for the receiver-hungry Steelers is Noah Brown. He was released by the Houston Texans on Tuesday.

Brown was the odd man out from a crowded Texans receiver room. For a while, it looked like John Metchie III was going to be released, but Brown was cut instead.

Noah Brown released by Texans. Watch this video and tell me he wouldn’t be the 2nd best WR on the Steelers roster. Needs claimed by Omar Khan. pic.twitter.com/N9aWuXIjUL

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) August 27, 2024

In November of last year, Brown put together a crazy back-to-back set of games totaling 13 catches for 325 yards and a touchdown.

A seventh-round pick out of Ohio State in 2017, the 6-2, 215-pound pass-catcher spent his first six seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Last year with the Texans, Brown played in 10 games, starting seven. He averaged 17.2 yards per catch (33 catches/567 yards).

Third time around

Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes is making his 18th start of 2024 Wednesday afternoon. It’s already his third start of the year against the Chicago Cubs.

Thus far he is 1-0 against them, having thrown 10 innings, allowing three earned runs. He’s also racked up 18 strikeouts, three walks and has allowed one homer, resulting in a 2.70 earned run average.

Perhaps Skenes’ most dominant start was the second of his career at Wrigley Field when he struck out 11 Cubs and left with a no-hitter after six innings.

Paul Skenes is on pace to strikeout 27 today ...

Six batters, six strikeouts. ???? pic.twitter.com/obSuXLYdeq

— MLB (@MLB) May 17, 2024

Skenes will be opposed by Kyle Hendricks who is 3-10 with a 6.33 ERA. He has also faced the Pirates twice, yielding one earned run during a 5-4 win on May 12 at PNC Park. Then he got shelled for seven earned runs over 4⅔ innings en route to a 9-3 loss on May 17 against Skenes when he struck out 11.

Tripped up

Before there was Skenes in Pittsburgh, there was Gerrit Cole.

Now with the New York Yankees, Cole has worked his way back from arm problems in the spring. He didn’t make his first appearance until mid-June.

After a rocky start, Cole has been much better of late. Coming into Tuesday’s outing against the Washington Nationals, the right-hander had allowed just three runs in four starts this month. His August ERA was at 1.17 after finishing 23 innings with only three earned runs allowed.

On Tuesday, though, Cole took the loss as the Nats hit a pair of homers off of him en route to a 5-3 victory. Both were solo shots courtesy of Andres Chaparro and Jose Tena.

Also, Dylan Crews got his first major-league hit off Cole (5-3, 3.86 ERA) for the Nats. He was the second overall selection in the 2023 draft after the Pirates took Skenes.

DYLAN CREWS. FIRST MLB HIT. IS A DOUBLE. pic.twitter.com/4le3gruCBx

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 27, 2024

Crews was Skenes’ teammate at LSU. For a long time in the draft process, many wondered if the Pirates might take him instead of Skenes. Crews went 2 for 4 playing right field after going 0 for 3 as center fielder on Monday.