For “First Call” on Tuesday, we check in on Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward after his surgery. We look at some off-the-radar Steelers draft prospects. Antonio Brown is mad about a Steelers coaching hire.
And we scout Tuesday’s Duquesne basketball game.
How is Heyward?
Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward posted an Instagram story of himself recovering from surgery on Monday.
It’s not clear exactly what the procedure was, but Heyward battled groin injuries all year long. He followed up on X with these posts as well.
Done doing stuff on 1 leg that guys were doing on 2 legs lol Can’t wait to get back to myself
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) February 19, 2024
I pushed myself in rehab to play and it wasn’t like anything was torn, but putting your body through the riggers of playing NFL football the way I do, there was no way to catch back up. I just wanted to be back with my teammates, I’m happy I did comeback and I don’t regret it.
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) February 19, 2024
Heyward was limited to just 11 games, 33 tackles and two sacks this year. Those were all low-water marks since a 2016 season that was also cut short because of injury. Heyward has one year remaining on his contract at $22.4 million. He’s 35 years old and has already balked at the idea of taking a pay cut.
A.B. not happy with hire
Former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown doesn’t seem to like the hire of Zach Azzanni as the franchise’s new wide receivers coach.
Azzanni coached Brown at Central Michigan. And Mr. Big Chest seems to think that Azzanni is using Brown’s big reputation to get over within the coaching world.
“(Expletive) still using my name for jobs and lying,” Brown posted on social media.
Azzanni recruited and coached Brown at Central Michigan between 2007-09. He played at CMU from 1994 to 1998.
It’s not clear what beef Brown may have with Azzanni or what he is alleging Azzanni lied about. Between CMU and the Steelers, Azzanni has had seven different stops along the way.
In the college ranks, he worked at Florida, Western Kentucky, Wisconsin and Tennessee. In the NFL, he coached with the Bears, Broncos and Jets.
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Some names to remember
If you are looking for a few diamonds in the rough for the Steelers when it comes to the NFL Draft, here are two to remember: Tulane cornerback Jarius Monroe and Alcorn State running back Jarveon Howard.
Via Steelersnow.com, Steelers scout Zach Crockett was talking up Howard during an NFL Network interview at the HBCU combine Monday. General manager Omar Khan is in attendance. At 5-foot-10, 215 pounds, Howard ran a 4.46 40-yard dash. In 2022, the Syracuse transfer racked up 1,270 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2023, he added 772 yards and 20 receptions.
“You see the burst, you see how he gets in and out of this cut, see how he finishes up the field,” Crockett said.
Meanwhile, according to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo, the team also took an interest in Monroe. The corner is expected to be a late-round choice.
“Every team loved the type of vibe I was giving off,” Monroe told Melo. “I had a great time with the Commanders, Broncos, Raiders, Bills and Steelers, to name a few. Those are some of the meetings that stood out to me.”
At 6-foot and 204 pounds, Monroe is said to have graded out well at the East-West Shrine Bowl. While playing with the Green Wave, Monroe totaled six interceptions and 22 pass breakups over the past two years.
Billikens on the bill
The Duquesne men’s basketball team is in action Tuesday night. The Dukes host Saint Louis at 7 pm.
The Dukes stand at 15-10 overall and 5-7 in Atlantic 10 play. That’s good for ninth place in the 15-team A-10. The…
This article was originally published by a triblive.com . Read the Original article here. .