1 week Ago By Tim Benz
Tuesday’s “First Call” has lots of news out of Baltimore as the Ravens (7-3) prepare to battle the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2). The Cincinnati Bengals swung and missed on a pair of veteran free agents. And the Duquesne football team is riding high with more in-season honors.
Hey, hey, Diontae! We know that former Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson will be in a Baltimore Ravens uniform Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. But how much will he actually play against his former club? In two games so far with Baltimore, Johnson has only played 22 snaps. He has caught just one ball for 6 yards on two targets.
However, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh is expecting Johnson’s participation to increase Sunday during the big AFC North showdown for first place. “He’s been here now for a number of practices, ” Harbaugh said via the team’s website . “Last week, we only had one practice (before a Thursday night game) where he had a chance to move around.
I would expect that to ramp up, yes.” Johnson had 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns with the Carolina Panthers over the first seven weeks of the season before the trade took place. The Panthers acquired Johnson from Pittsburgh in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson this offseason.
As for Jackson, he suffered a hamstring injury Sunday in Washington. We’ll get an update on injuries to some extent or another from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during his weekly press conference at noon Tuesday. Secondary a primary concern The Ravens have their own issues in the secondary.
The team’s pass defense allows 294 yards per game. That’s the worst in the NFL. Now their All-Pro safety is an injury concern.
Kyle Hamilton sprained an ankle Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals during the team’s 35-34 win. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the team is getting encouraging reports on his recovery, and Harbaugh didn’t rule him out for Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh. “It’s Monday, ” Harbaugh said.
“He’s been here all weekend getting treatment and stuff like that. We’ll see how he looks on Wednesday [and] going forward.” Also, in the secondary, Harbaugh said the Ravens are working toward getting Tre’Davious White into the rotation at cornerback.
He was acquired last week via trade from the Los Angeles Rams. But Harbaugh insisted that struggling cornerback Brandon Stephens will not be moving to safety. As Ravens.
com pointed out, Stephens has given up the third-most yards in the league among cornerbacks (555) , according to Pro Football Focus . • After dropping ball on fake punt, Steelers CB James Pierre comes through in the clutch • Burdened by injuries, 2-game losing streak, Pitt's Pat Narduzzi running out of options • Penguins forward Sam Poulin is 'just really happy to be back' Welcome to the Jung ..
. eh, forget it The Cincinnati Bengals (4-6) certainly need help too. But two potential veteran additions to the team are now suddenly off the table.
According to the NFL Network, Cincinnati tried to help its shoddy defense by signing free-agent cornerback Xavien Howard. But they couldn’t come together on a deal. The Bengals allow 26.
2 points per game. That’s 26th in the league. Howard is 31 years old now.
But he is a former first-team All-Pro and made four Pro Bowls as a member of the Miami Dolphins from 2018-22. The franchise also reportedly made a run at running back Leonard Fournette, but ended up signing ex-New York Giant Gary Brightwell to the practice squad instead. The Bengals only average 89.
7 yards per game on the ground. That’s 29th in the NFL. Only the Jets (86.
8), Cowboys (83.7) and Raiders (76.9) are worse.
Awards rolling in The Duquesne football team (7-2) is enjoying the spoils of a seven-game win streak. The Dukes are sitting atop the conference standings. They have moved up to No.
21 in the AFCA Coaches poll. Now, two of their key performers have been named Players of the Week in the NEC for their efforts during a 31-6 win over Robert Morris on Sunday. John Erby is the conference’s Offensive Player of the Week.
The wide receiver caught three touchdowns and posted 126 receiving yards, both career-highs, in the victory. Erby has a team-high 38 catches for 552 yards and six touchdowns. He is the third Duquesne player to be named Offensive Player of the Week this season, joining running back JaMario Clements and quarterback Darius Perrantes.
Ty Howard picked up Defensive Player of the Week. The junior linebacker intercepted a tipped pass in the red zone for the second straight week and has now had a takeaway in four consecutive games. The Cleveland native also had a sack and led the Dukes in tackles on Saturday, tying his career high with eight.
Coach Jerry Schmitt’s team wraps up their home schedule against Wagner at noon Saturday..
