In today’s news, the Pittsburgh Steelers might add a family member to the defensive backfield. We now know what jersey number Justin Fields will wear.
Fans of the Penguins are closely following the Eastern Conference standings. Meanwhile, Pirates fans saw a previously undefeated team lose, while their own team experienced its first loss in 2024.
Another award has been given to a standout player from the Robert Morris women’s hockey team.
All about family
It's possible that the Steelers will pick Joey Porter Jr.'s cousin to play in the defense. This is something to consider.
Via SteelersNow.com, Shon Stephens told “Inside the Birds” that he expects to visit the Steelers before the draft.
Stephens, a cornerback from Ferris State, is the nephew of former Steelers player Joey Porter Sr. and the cousin of Porter Jr., who was drafted by the Steelers last year from Penn State.
Stephens impressed observers at Michigan State’s Pro Day, running the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds and bench pressing 225 pounds 19 times.
THREAD: @FerrisFootball CB Shon Stephens put on an absolute SHOW at @MSU_Football's Pro Day!
Stephens, the nephew of #Steelers great Joey Porter, ran the 40 in the reported 4.3's.
Footage: pic.twitter.com/khwpUsUTf2
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 14, 2024
Stephens is not tall, standing at 5-foot-9 and weighing 175 pounds. He played at West Liberty before moving to Ferris. He was set to join Big Ten schools on two occasions, first Penn State and then Purdue, but NCAA transfer rules prevented it.
Justin Melo of the Draft Network reports that 29 out of 32 teams were present at MSU’s Pro Day, in part to scout Stephens.
Keeping a close watch
The Penguins have re-entered the fringes of the Eastern Conference playoff race and are now monitoring other teams' performances closely.
While the Penguins were not in action on Wednesday, they saw the Tampa Bay Lightning defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1, strengthening the Lightning's position in the playoff race.
This win brought the Lightning's total points to 91, securing their hold on the first wild-card spot and bringing them within four points of the third spot in the Atlantic, currently held by the Leafs.
Nick Paul was one of four players who scored goals for the Lightning during the game.
He really does do it all. ????♂️ pic.twitter.com/Gz40M0PEAh
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 4, 2024
Similarly, the New Jersey Devils, in 12th place, lost 4-3 to the New York Rangers, who are leading the Metropolitan Division with 106 points, leaving the Devils three points behind the Penguins.
The Penguins' next game will take place on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Washington, where the Capitals are currently in eighth place, holding onto the final wild-card spot. At the same time, the New York Islanders, in 10th place with 81 points, will be playing against Columbus.
On Friday, the ninth-place Detroit team, with 82 points, will be hosting the Rangers. In addition, the Philadelphia Flyers, holding the third place in the Metropolitan division with 83 points, are aiming to avoid a sixth consecutive loss against Buffalo on Friday.
Known numbers
Despite his notable performance in pushing for the 2023 playoffs, the Steelers have decided not to retire Mason Rudolph’s No. 2 jersey. Instead, they have given it to the new quarterback, Justin Fields. This information comes from the NFL Jersey Numbers feed on X.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Justin Fields (@justnfields) is wearing number 2. Last worn by Mason Rudolph. #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/7BHXu59B6N
— NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl_jersey_num) April 3, 2024
Fields previously wore No. 1 with his former team, the Chicago Bears.
In other news, quarterback Kyle Allen will now wear No. 4, previously worn by Trace McSorley. Punter Cameron Johnston will take on No. 5. Wide receiver Van Jefferson, who recently joined the team, will be given Allen Robinson’s previous number, No. 11. Additionally, Eric Rowe will pass on No. 25 to the new safety, DeShon Elliott.
The official website of the Steelers has not yet verified that list.
More sports
• Defense player Jack Rathbone is focused on taking advantage of a new beginning with the Penguins
• 'Do you have some Yinzer in you?': Baseball player Joey Bart from the Pirates has strong family connections to Lower Burrell
• 'A great honor': Rookie pitcher Jared Jones of the Pirates to start against the Orioles in the home opener and it is amazing
Not alone
The Pirates were not the only team in Major League Baseball without a loss to experience their first defeat of the season season.
The Milwaukee Brewers lost to the Minnesota Twins 7-3, making their record 4-1. Alex Kirilloff from Plum performed well, achieving a 4-4 and the Twins improved to 3-2.
No Answer For Alex Kirilloff ????#WeBelieveInTC // #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/A6m7QWcVrq
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) April 3, 2024
Kirilloff has now hit in all five games he has played this season and has a batting average of .444.
Milwaukee is currently trailing the Pirates by half a game in the National League Central. Pittsburgh lost their first game of the season against the Washington Nationals 5-3 on Tuesday.
The Pirates and Nats have split the first two games of their three-game series. They will play again Thursday afternoon before the Buccos start their home season at 4:12 p.m. Friday against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Brewers will visit PNC Park for the first time on April 22 for a four-game series.
The only unbeaten team in MLB now is the Detroit Tigers (4-0). They were rained out for a second consecutive night against the New York Mets. The two teams will play a doubleheader Thursday.
National recognition
A female hockey player from Robert Morris named Alaina Giampietro was selected
for the USCHO All-Rookie Team on Wednesday morning. The freshman star from the Colonials ended the season with 31 points (19 goals and 12 assists). This total led all CHA rookies in the 2023-24 season.
GOAL!
P2 (15:20) Syracuse 1 RMU 3@alainagiampietr SCORES!! Giampietro's goal streak is now up to FIVE games!#BobbyMo |????????????| #RMUnite #CHA pic.twitter.com/WpmHcBFyG6
— RMU Women's Hockey (@RMUWHockey) November 4, 2023
She achieved eight instances of multiple points and had a streak of six and five games with points. Additionally, she scored three power play goals and blocked 26 shots.
Giampietro is the sixth Colonial in program history to make the All-USCHO Rookie team and the first since goalie Raygan Kirk in 2019-20.
Listen: Tim Benz and Kevin Gorman talk about the Pirates as they continue their series in Washington
