First Call: Browns clear players from covid list; Steelers star upset over Pro Bowl snub; bad news for 2 ex-Penguins

Tuesday’s “First Call” provides a health update on the Cleveland Browns before they visit the Steelers on Monday night.

We also hear from a Steelers player who is mad that he was left off of the Pro Bowl roster.

And we’ve got some bad news for a pair of former Penguins.

Coronavirus in Cleveland

The Cleveland Browns are getting a host of players back from the covid-19 list just in time for practice in advance of their Monday night game against the Steelers.

Getting Hunt and Hill healthy enough to contribute would be large. They would have missed the last 2 games with injury.

Having the D-line back against this Steelers' O-line is obviously a big deal also. https://t.co/HjHssuIfrx

— Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) December 27, 2021

The return of running back Kareem Hunt would be most bothersome for the Steelers’ leaky rush defense. It’s currently last in the league. Although, that unit did hold the vaunted Browns rush attack to only 96 yards when the Steelers beat the Browns 15-10 earlier in the season.

However, Hunt didn’t play that day. He’s also a threat coming out of the backfield in the pass-catching game. As BrownsWire reports, the ability to potentially put offensive tackle Jedrick Wills back in the lineup is a huge plus as well. Not only would that solidify the left tackle position, but it would also allow Pro Bowler Joel Bitonio to slide back inside to his natural left guard spot.

Salty about snub

Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson did not get selected to the Pro Bowl. That’s not sitting well with him.

“I’m not going to lie. I was kinda (ticked),” Johnson said Tuesday. “I can’t do (anything) about it. It’s up to the fans and the players around our league. I don’t have (a) say so in that. I can only pray that they vote for me.”

Johnson says the perceived snub is motivation.

“It was tough because I know all the work I put in in the offseason and during the season as well,” Johnson explained. “I was watching TV and I saw it. I didn’t come into the building with a cold shoulder. I don’t want to say I got complacent or anything. It just shows me I have some more work to do.”

Johnson has 1,079 receiving yards in 2021. That’s good for 10th in the NFL. Three of the other four receivers picked ahead of him for the AFC roster— Tyreek Hill (Kansas City), Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati), Stefon Diggs (Buffalo) — have more.

Los Angeles Chargers pass-catcher Keenan Allen was the fourth receiver to get selected in front of Johnson. He has four more catches, but 37 fewer receiving yards. Allen also has five touchdowns compared to Johnson’s seven. So, if there is a complaint from Johnson, maybe it’s with Allen’s inclusion versus his. But if so, it is minimal.

Fleury on the list

The latest big name to go on the NHL covid list is Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. The team made the announcement before practice Monday.

The former Penguins netminder has been hot of late. He’s 8-3-1 in his past 12 games. Fleury has a 2.13 goals against average, a .933 save percentage and two shutouts over that stretch.

The Blackhawks game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday was postponed for covid-related reasons. Their next game is supposed to be Wednesday in Winnipeg. Good luck with that.

Collin Delia will serve as the second goaltender behind Kevin Lankinen. He was recalled from the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.

Tough times for Tanev

Former Penguin Brandon Tanev is done for the year.

The Seattle Kraken forward has suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

UPDATE: #SeaKraken forward Brandon Tanev suffered a season-ending ACL injury during the team's matchup against the Edmonton Oilers on Dec. 18 at @ClimateArena.

Additional information on his surgery and recovery will be released when available. pic.twitter.com/ofBW2AOPUi

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) December 27, 2021

In 30 games with the expansion franchise, Tanev has nine goals and 15 points. His 98 hits are eighth in the NHL. Nicolas Deslauriers of Anaheim is tops in the league with 136.

Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese is fifth with 104.