First Call: Will David DeCastro file a grievance over his release? What's Marc-Andre Fleury's future in Las Vegas?

Monday’s “First Call” features a question about David DeCastro’s release by the Steelers. A former Pirates pitcher shines. Considering Marc-Andre Fleury’s future. And the Browns backs are hand-in-glove.

Done with DeCastro

One reason why the Steelers may have tagged David DeCastro’s release as related to a non-football injury is in an effort to cover their own backsides.

As ProFootballTalk points out, DeCastro wasn’t on the injury report with an ankle problem all year, despite the myriad other ailments that popped up about his availability.

He had knee, ab and hand problems. But not an ankle injury. So, according to PFT, “The team’s decision to release DeCastro with a non-football injury designation seemed odd when it happened, given that it appeared that DeCastro’s lingering ankle issues trace directly to football. The team’s effort to characterize the injury as something that happened between the end of the 2020 season and Thursday makes sense, however, to the extent that the Steelers don’t want to get in trouble again with the league office over the question of hiding injuries.”

The Steelers were fined $75,000 for failing to report an injury to Ben Roethlisberger in November 2019.

And DeCastro sure is making it sound like a football injury, telling 93.7 The Fan, “Last year it bothered me. Not only is it painful but it’s hard to play on when you feel like you’re playing half-legged.”

In terms of filing a grievance against the Steelers for calling it a non-football-related injury, DeCastro said he is leaving it up to his agent to figure out how to best go about recouping any money or benefits he is owed.

Whatever cap pinch the Steelers get for payment to DeCastro would likely go against the 2022 salary cap based on the timeline it should take to resolve the matter.

More from Marc-Andre

Discussion has picked up in regard to the prospect of former Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury perhaps returning to Pittsburgh.

This after Fleury was once again displaced in the playoffs by Vegas Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer, who seems to favor Robin Lehner whenever circumstances allow a choice.

But it sure sounds like Fleury would like to stay in Vegas.

Marc-Andre Fleury-

"I haven't put much thought into the future, but it's always been in my heart to hopefully finish my career here (in Vegas)."

— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) June 26, 2021

And Fleury insists there is no static between him and Lehner.

Fleury on his daughters writing letters to Lehner: My two girls love arts & crafts and they love writing letters. They give me lots of those. It was a big game in Montreal for Game 6 and in their hearts they wanted to send Robin some love. It was very sweet of them. pic.twitter.com/Wfh8lh7yQI

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 26, 2021

But that’s not going to stop Penguins fans from wondering if there is a way to get Fleury back to town, especially given the concerns about Tristan Jarry after his failure in this year’s playoffs.

That said, there are also issues when it comes to the teams swinging a deal with each other, given that both franchises have significant salary-cap concerns.

Speaking of dynamic duos

While we are on the topic of splitting time, let’s not limit the conversation to Lehner and Fleury.

Up in Cleveland, they have a pretty good one-two punch at running back with Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb.

For his part, Hunt says he wants to keep the partnership going, even if that means Chubb taking the bulk of the carries.

“Please pay that man,” Hunt said of Chubb via The Athletic. “Nick is a freak of nature. He’s like a brother to me. I love what he does on and off the field. He’s just a great person and a great teammate. I hope we can play together for a long time.”

Chubb is entering the final year of his rookie deal. He was the NFL’s seventh leading rusher last season despite missing four games. Chubb’s 5.6 yard average on 190 carries was second among NFL running backs. His 12 rushing touchdowns were fourth in the league.

Hunt led the Browns with five touchdown receptions and was fifth in targets with 51. He also ran for three touchdowns in the Browns’ two postseason games.

How did that ‘HAPP’en?

It hasn’t been an easy year for former Pirate J.A. Happ. But he spun a gem for the Minnesota Twins Sunday, as they outscored the Cleveland Indians 8-2 .

He threw six innings, allowing two runs with seven strikeouts and no walks.

"It felt really good to get some better results."

Hear from J.A. Happ after a solid day on the mound. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/l5Fyk2PmnJ

— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) June 27, 2021

That effort lowered Happ’s ERA to 5.83. It was just his second win since May 4, improving his record to 4-3.