First Call: Cleveland rookie QB says Steelers game will be ‘night and day’ difference from 1st start; more Browns injury updates
Share this post:
Friday’s “First Call” finds a confident backup quarterback ready to play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland. Both teams have important injuries from earlier in the season they are nursing in advance of Sunday’s rematch.
The Penguins are facing a very challenging weekend set of games.
And we lay out the college basketball and hockey schedules for the men’s and women’s teams at Pitt, Robert Morris and Duquesne.
Talking the talk
Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson is saying all the right things heading into his start against the Steelers on Sunday. He’s taking over for an injured Deshaun Watson.
Things went poorly for the rookie signal caller in his first start against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4. He was 19 of 36 for 121 yards, no touchdowns, three interceptions and four sacks. This time around, he is expecting vastly different results.
“You kind of knock all the rust off your first go ’round. It’s going to be night and day. It’s just my progression. My maturity. How I’ve handled the week thus far and all the weeks before. Just being able to learn from that first experience, I think it is going to help me a bunch,” Thompson-Robinson said.
.@dorianstweets has come a long way since Week 4 pic.twitter.com/vjbxRfIlKO
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 16, 2023
Since that game, Thompson-Robinson has thrown just one pass for nine yards against the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 29.
“I know what to expect now,” Thompson-Robinson added via ESPN.com. “I’m not stepping out there for the first time — not going out there wide-eyed anymore.
“I know what it takes now to be an NFL quarterback, not just a college quarterback. … I think I’ve taken that next step.”
So far this season, the Steelers have beaten one rookie starter (Will Levis, Tennessee Titans), but they lost to rookie C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans. Last week, they beat the Green Bay Packers with Jordan Love under center. Love is in his third season. But this is his first full year as a starter.
Watching besides Watson
While Watson may be done for the year, a long list of injured Browns players seem to be making progress toward playing against the Steelers.
According to the Browns injury report,
Cornerback Greg Newsome II and guard Wyatt Teller didn’t practice Wednesday but were full participants Thursday. Defensive back Denzel Ward and defensive end Alex Wright were also full participants after opening the week as limited.
The only Browns who have yet to practice this week are Marquise Goodwin (concussion), Matthew Adams (personal reasons) and safety Juan Thornhill (neck). Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo has been limited both days.
#Browns #Steelers Thursday injury report pic.twitter.com/p2IHLCqTEY
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) November 16, 2023
As for the Steelers, Mikah Fitzpatrick, Keanu Neal and Montravius Adams have all missed both practices this week. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin labeled Fitzpatrick and Neal as game-day decisions Thursday. Defensive end Cameron Heyward was still limited because of his groin injury after not practicing Wednesday.
On the offensive side, Pat Freiermuth and Diontae Johnson were upgraded to full participation.
More sports
• With help from Rodney Hammond, QB Nate Yarnell leads Pitt to victory over Boston College
• Add defensive tackle Keeanu Benton to list of rookies making impact for Steelers
• Penguins defenseman P.O Joseph remains positive as a regular healthy scratch
Storm clouds brewing
After losing 5-2 to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, the Penguins now have to go on the road to face another divisional rival. They take on the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh on Saturday night.
Carolina has 18 points thus far and has a 9-7 record. They are in second place of the Metropolitan Division, tied with the Washington Capitals five points behind the first-place New York Rangers. The Penguins are 8-7 with 16 points, good for sixth place in the division.
The Canes have won four of their five games at home in 2023-24. The power play has been good, clicking at 24.1%. That’s the eighth best in the NHL. The Penguins may be able to draw some penalties of their own, though. Carolina has racked up 185 penalty minutes, the sixth most in the league. The Canes shoot the puck a ton. Their 544 shots are the most in hockey.
The Pens were 0-2-2 against Carolina last year, losing by scores of 3-2 (OT), 3-2, 4-3 (OT) and 2-1. That was the first four-game sweep of the Penguins for the franchise since it relocated from Hartford. The Whalers had a three-game sweep over the Pens in 1986-87.
Mike Sullivan’s club then has to turn around and host the Stanley Cup Champion Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday night at 6 p.m. With 27 points, the Knights have the highest point total in the NHL.
Up and back
After a two-game excursion to Alaska last weekend, the Robert Morris men’s hockey team (2-4-3) has a much more manageable trip Friday. They travel up to Niagara (2-6-1) to play the Purple Eagles that night.
It’s the first half of a home-and-home this weekend, as the Colonials will host the return game at Clearview Arena at 7 p.m. Saturday. This will be the first of two home-and-home series between the teams this season. They play each other on Neville Island again on Dec. 7, then at Niagara on Dec. 9.
Last weekend, Derek Schooley’s club lost the first game in Anchorage 3-2 but tied the second game 2-2. They went on to grab an extra point by winning the shootout.
The women’s team is coming off a bye week and will host RIT for a pair of games at 7 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday.
Traditional tussle
The Duquesne and Pitt women’s basketball teams will play the City Game on Saturday at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. Tipoff is at 2 p.m.
Duquesne has won two of its first three games, beating Niagara and Howard after dropping its opener to the Princeton Tigers. Pitt is 1-2, having won its opener against Yale before losing its next two games to West Virginia and George Mason.
Pitt won last year’s game 61-45. The Panthers lead the overall series 23-17.
As for the men’s teams, both have home games on Friday at 7 p.m. The Panthers welcome Jacksonville at the Petersen Events Center. Duquesne hosts Rider.
Meanwhile, Robert Morris’ men’s team is at Wisconsin on Friday night. The women visit George Mason on Saturday.