First Call: Browns DB refuses to pile on Minkah Fitzpatrick; injury updates from Vegas, Houston
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At least one Cleveland Brown refuses to pile on Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick after his “Monday Night Football” hit on Nick Chubb. We have injury updates on both of the next two opponents for the Steelers in Las Vegas and Houston.
Plus, Gerrit Cole shines for the New York Yankees.
All that in Friday’s “First Call.”
Putting into perspective
In the face of social media criticism, Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick spent most of his session with reporters Thursday defending his hit on Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb during “Monday Night Football.”
It was a tackle that ended Chubb’s season with a blown-out knee. Fitzpatrick was skewered by Browns fans for going low on Chubb and taking out his knee.
One person who defended Fitzpatrick’s actions Thursday was Browns safety Grant Delpit. Despite being Chubb’s teammate, Delpit says he can’t call Fitzpatrick’s hit dirty.
“It’s football,” Delpit said. “I can’t say what I would’ve done at that moment. I’m sure he didn’t mean to do any harm to Nick or anything like that. It was a crazy play. Plays can go a thousand ways every play. You never know. It’s tough playing this sport sometimes.”
#Browns safety Grant Delpit doesn’t think #Steelers Minkah Fitzpatrick’s hit on Nick Chubb was dirty pic.twitter.com/B54giqiHDD
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 21, 2023
Fitzpatrick was also injured on the play, resulting in a chest bruise. He came back into the game after suffering the injury but aggravated it a short time later.
After a visit to the hospital Monday night, Fitzpatrick was a non-participant in practice Wednesday. He was upgraded to limited Thursday and told media members he will play Sunday in Las Vegas.
Checking on the other side
It appears the Raiders are getting healthy in advance of their game against the Steelers on Sunday night. After being evaluated for a concussion Sunday in Buffalo, All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams had a full practice Thursday and appears to have a green light to play. He was removed from the injury report Thursday.
Meanwhile, Jakobi Meyers, another wide receiver who missed Sunday’s game with a concussion, was upgraded to a limited participant Thursday. Linebacker Divine Debalo and safeties Chris Smith II and Marcus Epps were also upgraded to limited.
If the Raiders are feeling a pinch anywhere, it might be along the defensive front. Defensive end Tyree Wilson is dealing with an illness and has yet to practice this week. And Chandler Jones has been placed on the non-football illness list.
Sources: #Raiders pass-rusher Chandler Jones has been placed on the non-football illness list as he deals with a personal issue. The team has stood behind him and no one has ruled out a return if his situation improves. pic.twitter.com/eWac9C8ane
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2023
The 11-year veteran has been away from the team since Labor Day weekend.
Down the road
Next week’s opponent for the Steelers, the Houston Texans, are dealing with injury issues of their own.
They will be without starting cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. thanks to a hamstring injury. According to Aaron Wilson of KRPC2 in Houston, he will miss multiple games.
Sources: #Texans standout corner Derek Stingley Jr. injured hamstring in practice, could miss several weeks, be placed on IR @KPRC2 https://t.co/RpIbPwEnRT
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 21, 2023
Stingley started nine games in 2022 and the first two this season. A hamstring injury ended his first season after nine games as well.
For the season, Stingley has allowed four catches for 37 yards and no scores on six targets.
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Gerrit goes off
On Thursday, former Pirate Gerrit Cole made his first appearance for the New York Yankees since his no-decision at PNC Park last Friday night.
And he was excellent.
Cole spun an eight-inning, two-hit gem as the Yanks beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3. Along the way, Cole collected nine strikeouts while walking none.
All aboard the Cole @GerritCole45 ️ pic.twitter.com/FACfWOlut7
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 22, 2023
Cole is now 14-4 with a 2.75 ERA.
It appears that Cole may be closing in on his first Cy Young Award after finishing second twice in his career. He leads the American League in ERA (2.75), innings pitched (200), starts (32) and WHIP (1.02). His 217 strikeouts are third in the AL.
Tampa Bay’s Zach Eflin has 15 wins, the only A.L. pitcher with more than Cole.
Another ex-Pirate, Clay Holmes, pitched the ninth. He allowed two runs but closed out the game.