Thursday’s “First Call” looks at the Los Angeles Rams’ complicated running back situation heading into Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Also, their coach is navigating a potentially dicey personal situation of his own in advance of game day.

The Steelers are getting clarity about some upcoming quarterbacks on their schedule. And one Pittsburgh linebacker is speaking out about the proposed hip-drop tackle ban.

Looking down the road

It appears that one upcoming opponent will be getting its starting quarterback back on the field in time to face the Steelers, and one will not.

Indianapolis Colts (3-3) rookie starter Anthony Richardson is opting for season-ending shoulder surgery. As a result, he’ll miss the team’s Week 15 game against the Steelers. For now, the Colts starter is Gardner Minshew.

#Colts QB Anthony Richardson is scheduling season-ending shoulder surgery, with multiple opinions believing it is the only way to fix his significant AC joint injury. Richardson is already on Injured Reserve and doing right by Indy’s franchise QB is paramount. pic.twitter.com/MViHW7hCp0

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 18, 2023

Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals are likely getting Kyler Murray back under center in advance of their showdown with the Steelers on Dec. 3 at Acrisure Stadium.

Murray’s window to return from the PUP list was opened on Wednesday. That means he can return to practice.

After taking some snaps under center, Kyler Murray began throwing to tight ends, wide receivers during the open portion of #AZCardinals practice pic.twitter.com/ZqIaQy4UjC

— Craig Grialou (@CraigAZSports) October 18, 2023

In his absence, Arizona (1-5) has been led by former Steelers quarterback Josh Dobbs. He will at least continue to be the starter this week versus Seattle.

Holcomb hates the hip-drop penalty

It certainly sounds like the NFL is moving toward penalizing the hip-drop tackle.

A hip-drop is when the defender grabs the ball carrier from behind and then falls down onto the offensive player, dropping their body weight on the ball carrier’s legs. That was the method of tackling used as Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard suffered a leg fracture during a playoff game in San Francisco.

And at least one Steelers defender is coming out against that idea.

“You keep taking stuff away from the game. I know player safety is important. But, also, we are playing football. There’s a risk to playing this game,” linebacker Cole Holcomb said Wednesday. “That tackle is … there’s no malicious intent behind that. So now you’re taking an aspect of the game where, as a defensive player, you’re penalized for (just) about everything and it makes you nervous to go out there and play.”

NFL executive Jeff Miller discussed the danger of the play Tuesday at the league meetings. He claims the hip-drop tackle increases the risk of injury by 25 times the rate of a standard tackle.

More sports

• Steelers preparing for ways to handle former Penn Hills, Pitt star Aaron Donald • Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin seems tired of questions on Steelers’ offense — here are ways to fix the problem • U mad, bro?: No Steelers game? No problem. Still plenty of fan agitation to go around

McVay won’t miss

Rams coach Sean McVay insists he won’t have to miss the Steelers game, or any other game, for the birth of his child.

McVay’s wife, Veronika Khomyn, is expecting a baby boy this month. McVay says his soon-to-be-born son already knows not to arrive on a game day.

“My wife’s doing great. I think there was a lot made about me missing a game. I’m not gonna miss a game. My son knows better than to come during a game,” McVay said.

Baby McVay knows ball. pic.twitter.com/hcrL4C7Lgq

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 18, 2023

“Everything is kind of on schedule for what we had planned and do not see that interfering with anything as it relates football-wise,” the coach continued.

Wait a minute. McVay can script out the birth of a kid. And Matt Canada can’t even script out a 10-play drive to start a game?

I sense a coaching disadvantage in this contest.

Guessing game

If the Rams have any idea who their starting running back is going to be Sunday against the Steelers, they aren’t tipping their hand.

With usual starter Kyren Williams and his backup Ronnie Rivers injured, rookie Zach Evans is next on the depth chart.

But the franchise also has veteran Royce Freeman and newly signed Myles Gaskin on the active roster as well as Darrell Henderson Jr. on the practice squad.

According to McVay, all four are still possibilities.

#Rams coach Sean McVay on whether rookie RB Zach Evans is on track to start this week:

“I wouldn’t say that”

“All four of those guys are possibilities and we’re truly navigating through that”

McVay also said “he’s gotten better” and “I’m looking forward to seeing how he… pic.twitter.com/SW7rNTgeWp

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) October 18, 2023

The Rams are 17th in the NFL in rush offense at 108.2 yards per game. The Steelers are 29th in rush defense, yielding 143.8 yards per game on the ground.

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