A former Pittsburgh Steeler discusses being forced into early retirement because of injury. Another ex-Steeler is forced to become a free agent once more.

Also, the Penguins’ head coaching job isn’t being rated as a highly desirable position. And we check on T.J. McConnell’s contributions to the surging Indiana Pacers in the NBA playoffs.

All of that is in “First Call.” for Thursday.

Ryan Watts shares emotions

The Steelers announced Monday that safety Ryan Watts was stepping away from football because of the effects of a neck injury. Watts was hurt last year during a preseason game in Detroit.

The rookie safety was injured attempting to help make a tackle late in the game and hasn’t fully recovered.

“Unfortunately, today we are releasing Ryan Watts from our roster,” general manager Omar Khan said. “After consulting with our medical team, medical experts and Ryan’s representatives, we all agree that it is in Ryan’s best interest to discontinue playing football at this time. We will continue to assist and support Ryan as he transitions to the next phase of his life.”

On Wednesday, Watts posted his own message.

Watts had promise as an athletic sixth-round safety out of Texas last year. He played two years with the Longhorns after starting his career at Ohio State.

Many hoped that Watts would be able to provide some defensive back depth this year if he could ever fully resolve the neck issue. Based on their statements, both the team and the player felt that Watts couldn’t return to a safe enough prognosis to resume play.

Another move for Marquez

Former Steeler Marquez Callaway is looking for another job. The wide receiver was released this week by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That’s according to Tuesday’s NFL transactions report.

The Bucs decided to draft two receivers last weekend to add numbers at the position. Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka went there in the first round. Then Oregon’s wide receiver Tez Johnson joined him in the seventh round.

Therefore, the 27-year-old Callaway became expendable. Callaway had just re-signed with the Bucs on Jan. 17 for his second season with the team.

Upcoming Local Events

More local events

The Steelers signed Callaway in January 2024 but released him July 30. His first team, New Orleans, picked him up the next day and carried him for 10 days before releasing him.

The Bucs eventually scooped him up in October. He played in two games in Tampa but didn’t record a stat.

More sports

• Fan injured after falling from Clemente Wall during Pirates game
• U mad, bro?: Steelers fans irate about NFL Draft coverage; Pens fans sick of Erik Karlsson
• Mark Madden: Mike Sullivan had to go, and now the Penguins can finally become Kyle Dubas' team

Not pretty for the Pens

The Daily Faceoff ranked how “attractive” all eight of the current NHL head coach openings in the NHL are. The Penguins’ position was sixth on the list, ahead of only Seattle’s and Philadelphia’s.

“In terms of the state the team is currently in, the Penguins are probably in the worst spot, save for whatever happens to the Canucks this offseason,” writer Scott Maxwell said. “Their elite core is in their final seasons; they’ve been out of the playoffs for three years now and are clearly heading toward a rebuild. Much like Seattle, you get the feeling that, as a head coach, you won’t see the light at the end of the tunnel for this rebuild.”

However, Maxwell insists that Sidney Crosby’s presence has to count for something.

“You can’t overlook the Sidney Crosby factor,” Maxwell continued. “He’s one of the best players of all time, and even if joining the Penguins during a rebuild isn’t ideal, a coach would be hard-pressed to pass up an opportunity to work with him. At the very least, it’s a great pit stop for a coaching development opportunity to learn from Sid.”

Anaheim was deemed to have the most attractive situation for an incoming coach because of the club’s current roster construction.

Pacing into the second round

The Indiana Pacers are onto the second round of the NBA playoffs, and T.J. McConnell is a big reason why.

The Chartiers Valley alum helped finish off the Milwaukee Bucks in five games of their first-round series with some very efficient play.

In Games 4 and 5, McConnell went 14-for-21 from the floor for 33 points. He also had nine assists and six rebounds against just three turnovers in 45 minutes.

The former Duquesne Duke also managed 11 points and five assists on 5-of-7 shooting in Game 1 of the series.

Indiana now moves on to play the Cleveland Cavaliers in Round 2. The other Eastern Conference semifinal will match the Boston Celtics against either the Detroit Pistons or New York Knicks. Game 6 of that series is Thursday night in Detroit with New York up 3-2.