First Call: Chris Boswell mocks himself with injury update; ex-Steelers in headlines; Pitt out of Top 25
Share this post:
Monday’s “First Call” has an update on Chris Boswell’s health after the Pittsburgh Steelers kicker was injured Sunday afternoon.
Also, one ex-Steeler scores a touchdown. Another gets busted for a bad penalty call. And Pitt is out of the Top 25.
All is well
Despite having to leave Sunday’s game in Cleveland after being put in the NFL’s concussion protocol, Chris Boswell appears to be doing OK.
The Steelers kicker was injured trying to execute a fake field goal and ended up missing the second half. But Boswell posted a humorous update to his Instagram account, letting fans know that he was doing better.
It appears Boz’s sense of humor was uninjured pic.twitter.com/X8pAtHcFv1
— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) November 1, 2021
Last year, when Boswell suffered an injured hip, the Steelers were able to turn to Matthew Wright who made all four field goals and seven extra points that he tried. But Wright now kicks for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
So if Boswell can’t clear concussion protocol, they’ll have to look elsewhere.
See you again soon
Former Steelers tight end Jesse James had a touchdown for the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
And, yes, this time he “survived the ground.”
Great throw, great catch. #SFvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/wyNF2jvfLf
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 31, 2021
That was the first touchdown of the season for the South Allegheny High School graduate and Penn State product.
Although, James and the Bears ended up losing that game to the San Francisco 49ers, 33-22. They come to Heinz Field next Monday night at 3-5, losers of three in a row. BetRivers.com has the Steelers listed as a 6.5-point favorite.
Wrong place, wrong time
Former Steeler Mike Hilton was at the center of a controversial penalty Sunday.
The Bengals defensive back got flagged for a helmet-to-helmet hit on a play with two minutes left. The play occurred on a third down that would’ve resulted in a one-yard loss for Jets running back Ty Johnson. The Bengals would’ve gotten the ball back on a punt — with timeouts remaining — down 34-31.
However, Hilton was deemed responsible for the helmet-to-helmet contact that ensued on the hit even though it appears Johnson was the one who lowered his head in an effort to brace for contact.
Penalty on the defender. Wow pic.twitter.com/sLN3JqApTr
— Eddie High (@EddieHigh) October 31, 2021
The call was so bad that even Marlon Humphrey — a cornerback on the division rival Baltimore Ravens — tweeted out empathy for Hilton while watching the game on his bye weekend.
Helmet to helmet when the runner goes low is the worst smh
— Marlon Humphrey (@marlon_humphrey) October 31, 2021
The Bengals went on to lose, falling to 5-3. That puts them half a game behind the Ravens for first place in the AFC North. The Steelers are in third place at 4-3. The Browns are in last at 4-4.
Fun while it lasted
Pitt is already out of the Top 25.
After being ranked No. 23 in the country going into its win against the Clemson Tigers last weekend and No. 17 coming out of it, the Panthers have dropped out of the Top 25 entirely.
This after a 38-34 defeat at home against Miami at Heinz Field on Saturday.
The Panthers are now 20.5-point favorites heading into Saturday’s game against Duke according to BetRivers.com. The Panthers are 6-2 (3-1 ACC). Duke is 3-5 (0-4 ACC) and has lost four in a row.