First Call: Steelers source can't 'see how you can go back to (Mitch) Trubisky'; T.J. Watt update; Trubisky trade speculation

We’ve got updates on the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback situation, T.J. Watt’s injury and some trade talk about Mitch Trubisky.

Plus, a wild stat about a Pirates former first-round pick.

All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.”

Planning on Pickett

In The Washington Post, CBS’ Jason La Canfora said it’s likely the Steelers will stick with Kenny Pickett at quarterback after he replaced Mitch Trubisky during Sunday’s 24-20 home loss to the New York Jets.

On Monday, La Canfora quoted a “member of the Steelers staff who is not permitted to speak about personnel decisions,” as saying, “I don’t see how you can go back to Trubisky now.”

Yeah, me either.

La Canfora added, “Don’t be shocked if the Steelers end up moving Trubisky before the trade deadline, now less than a month away, with inevitable QB injuries mounting around the league and this team open to stockpiling more draft capital.”

La Canfora offered a T.J. Watt update too.

“There is hope in that organization that T.J. Watt, the reigning defensive player of the year, could be back in two weeks (from a pectoral injury) to face Tampa Bay (10/16) — the Steelers have never won with him injured — and I’m told he continues to push to return as soon as possible.”

As for Watt’s primary backup, Malik Reed, he has just seven tackles in three games as a starter in Pittsburgh, none for a loss, and no sacks.

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McDermott on Mitch

Trubisky may be heading to the bench with the Steelers. But don’t expect that to impact his professionalism.

That’s the word from Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott. Trubisky was a backup to Josh Allen with the Bills last year. His new team and his old team play each other this Sunday in Upstate New York.

“He is a class act. A true pro. I have nothing but great things to say about Mitch. He is a leader. I’m sure it won’t be easy for him. But I (expect) he will handle it with class,” McDermott said of his former player.

I asked McDermott if there is a higher ceiling for Trubisky than what we have seen in Pittsburgh so far. McDermott wouldn’t comment on that, but instead once again praised Trubisky’s fiber.

“He’s a good football player. He’s a great person. And the rest falls in Pittsburgh’s court on that. We had a lot of good moments when he was in Buffalo,” McDermott continued.

Allen’s backups are now Case Keenum and Matt Barkley.

Words from Williams

Retired Steelers linebacker Vince Williams is defending his former defense on Twitter.

News flash, Steelers defense is not as good when it’s missing the best defensive player on the planet.

— Vince Williams (@VinnyVidiVici98) October 3, 2022

Well, no kidding, Vince. Everyone knows that. But it has to do better than 0-7 without Watt starting. It has to do better than allowing 21 offensive snaps on two long scoring drives from Zach Wilson in the fourth quarter.

It has to do better than a soul-sucking six-minute drive by the Patriots at the end of the game in Week 2. It has to do better than yielding 171 rushing yards to the Cleveland Browns.

There’s losing Watt, then there’s being unrecognizable without him. The Steelers are in the second category right now.

Close calls

According to ProFootballTalk.com, 15 of 16 games in the NFL were within one score (eight points) at some point in the fourth quarter last week. That’s a first in league history.

“In all, the first four weeks of the 2022 season have featured 50 of 64 games with a one-score edge for one of the teams in the fourth quarter. That’s also a record,” writer Mike Florio posted.

This Sunday, the Steelers began the fourth quarter against the Jets up 13-10. They pushed that lead to 20-10, only to lose 24-20. All four of the Steelers’ games this season have been within one score at some point in the fourth quarter.

That trend may be put to the test this weekend, though. The Buffalo Bills are 14-point favorites at home against the struggling Steelers, who may be giving rookie Kenny Pickett his first start.

Oh, Henry!

When it comes to opposing pitches, Pirates prospect Henry Davis needs to get out of the way more often.

Via MLB pipeline, “Davis was hit by a pitch 20 times in 59 games this year. Every other MiLB player with more than 20 HBPs played in at least 89 games.”

So, in his first Arizona Fall League at bat, Davis got hit again.

The @Pirates' Henry Davis, MLB's No. 19 prospect, was hit by a pitch 20 times in 59 games this year.

Every other @MiLB player with 20+ HBP played in at least 89 games.

He gets hit in his first @MLBazFallLeague AB with the Surprise Saguaros. pic.twitter.com/aWGbyY9IwE

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) October 3, 2022

Davis is with the Surprise Saguaros. He is MLB’s No. 19 prospect.