First Call: Patriots are getting TreVeyon Henderson back; Mason Rudolph says he felt like ‘bin Laden’ at times in Pittsburgh
Mason Rudolph allows for a little hyperbole while describing his career as a Pittsburgh Steeler. The Ravens are dealing with an unfortunate injury. The Pirates are enjoying an ironic accomplishment.
And the Steelers are going to have to deal with an up-and-coming Patriot who is being worked back into the New England game plan for Sunday.
All that in Friday’s “First Call.”
I wouldn’t go … that far
Call it exaggeration for effect, but Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph had quite the colorful explanation of his career arc in Pittsburgh while appearing on teammate Christian Kuntz’s podcast.
“I was Osama bin Laden in the city for a long time,” Rudolph said. “I was the most wanted. Listen, I’ve been in the outhouse and the penthouse.”
Mason Rudolph on his career:
“I was Osama Bin Laden in the city for a long time. I was the most wanted. I’ve been in the outhouse and the penthouse.”#steelers
???? The Christian Kuntz Podcast pic.twitter.com/AApWFfHVtE
— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) September 17, 2026
I’m not sure the outhouse moments ever got that bad. I’m sure getting booed off the field when he didn’t do anything wrong during a preseason game because fans wanted to see Kenny Pickett in 2022 didn’t feel great.
The tie versus Detroit was a low point, as was getting pulled for Duck Hodges against Cincinnati in 2019.
But I wouldn’t go so far as saying Bin Laden-esque. That kind of fan rancor was saved for Antonio Brown’s antics, Le’Veon Bell’s franchise tag fiasco, LeGarrette Blount leaving the field and Rashard Mendenhall for … well… what he said about Bin Laden.
Oh, yeah. And for fumbling in the Super Bowl. Which, if we’re being honest, is probably what people resented him more for anyway.
But, hey, Rudolph will at least have those “penthouse” moments too, like the three games he won at the end of 2023 to get the Steelers into the postseason.
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Sunday return
The New England Patriots are getting an offensive weapon back in time for their game against the Steelers on Sunday. It’s TreVeyon Henderson.
The second-year running back missed the season opener with an ankle injury. Now he is declaring himself ready to suit up in Foxborough against the Steelers.
RB TreVeyon Henderson: “I’m ready to go.”
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 17, 2026
“I’m ready to go. Thank God I’m healed up now,” Henderson said Thursday via ESPN.com. “I’m excited to be back out here with my teammates.”
The Ohio State product rushed for 911 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie in 2025. He also recorded 35 catches for 221 yards and another touchdown.
Henderson only rushed for 28 yards on 11 carries in last year’s loss to the Steelers.
Zay hey
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is in doubt for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.
The Pro Bowler is dealing with a hamstring injury. ESPN’s Adam Schefter says he missed practice again Thursday for a second consecutive afternoon.
No Zay Flowers again at today’s practice.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 17, 2026
Flowers totaled five receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown before sitting out the second half of Baltimore’s Week 1 win over Indianapolis.
The Ravens are also without rookie receiver Jakobi Lane, who went on injured reserve earlier this week.
Fun footnote
Unfortunately, the Pirates’ victory Thursday over the Brewers didn’t have much attached to it given the reality of the Pirates’ place in the National League Standings.
They are eight games back of the San Diego Padres for the last wild card spot with nine games to play.
But the Bucs’ 7-4 win did clinch an overall season-series win over the Brewers for the first time since 2018.
The @Pirates clinch their first season-series victory vs. Milwaukee since 2018! pic.twitter.com/AlJP4skoPk
— MLB (@MLB) September 17, 2026
Ironically, that accomplishment is occurring in a year when the Brewers have the best record in Major League Baseball at 95-58.
Manager Don Kelly’s crew went 7-6 against the Brewers in 2026. That featured a three-game sweep right before the All-Star break.
Now the Pirates host Kansas City for three games at PNC Park. They are 67-86. That’s the third-worst record in the American League in front of only the Los Angeles Angels (58-94) and the Athletics (61-92).
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LISTEN: Kevin Gorman and Tim Benz discuss the final homestand of 2026 for the Pirates, Paul Skenes, Ben Cherington’s future, Brandon Lowe and more in their weekly basbeall podcast.