First Call: Cam Sutton released by Lions; Steelers losing a corner; tough Penguins weekend ahead

Friday’s “First Call” features the latest on former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton. A current Steelers corner is heading to the NFC East. We check in on a potential Steelers wide receiver free-agent target.

And the Penguins have some tough challenges ahead.

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Former Steeler Cam Sutton has been released by the Detroit Lions. This news comes after an arrest warrant was issued for him Wednesday in Hillsborough County in Florida.

The cornerback is facing domestic battery by strangulation charges. Via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Hillsborough County deputies found a “battered” woman at Sutton’s home. Sutton then was said to have left the scene and shut his phone off.

Via Lions beat reporter Justin Rogers, Hillsborough County police were called at 4:30 a.m. on March 7 about the alleged domestic incident and have not been able to locate Sutton, so they released the warrant on social media.

The Lions signed Sutton away from the Steelers with a three-year, $33 million contract a year ago. He got $21 million fully guaranteed, including a $10.9 million signing bonus.

According to Fox Sports’ Greg Auman, that guarantee could be voided because of the nature of the charges.

Sutton had his $10.5 million 2024 base salary guaranteed in his contract, but the off-field issues could void that guarantee. https://t.co/r2ecLUV5Zo

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 21, 2024

During his only year in Detroit, Sutton totaled 65 total tackles, one interception and six passes defensed as the Lions reached the NFC Championship Game.

Au revoir, Pierre

The Steelers are saying goodbye to cornerback James Pierre. He is going to the Washington Commanders. That’s according to CBS’ Josina Anderson.

Pierre is the first of what could be many free-agent cornerbacks on the roster to sign elsewhere. Patrick Peterson, Levi Wallace and Chandon Sullivan are all also free agents.

Pierre, 27, first joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of Florida Atlantic in 2020 and became a key reserve and special teamer over his four seasons in Pittsburgh.

Prior to 2023, the Steelers kept Pierre as a restricted free agent. They declined to tender him a contract but re-signed him to a one-year deal. This offseason was his first as an unrestricted free agent.

As of now, the Steelers have Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson at corner, and everyone else is projected as a reserve or special teamer.

By the way, Pierre was a frequently relied-upon special teams player, and his absence could be felt there.

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Reynolds to the Ravens?

Lions free-agent wide receiver Josh Reynolds has been connected to the Steelers in the free-agent rumor mill. With Diontae Johnson getting traded to Carolina and Mike Williams signing in New York instead of Pittsburgh, the Steelers need some help.

But now another AFC North team is showing an interest.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Reynolds is on his way to Baltimore for a visit.

Lions free-agent WR Josh Reynold is on his way to Baltimore to visit Friday with the Ravens. pic.twitter.com/tFAp1ReL7m

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 21, 2024

Reynolds was a Los Angeles Ram for the first four seasons of his career before joining Tennessee and Detroit.

In 2023, Reynolds had 40 catches for 608 yards and five touchdowns.

Now what?

The Pittsburgh Penguins are struggling, having lost six of their last eight games. And things aren’t about to get any easier.

Sidney Crosby and company are going on the road for two games this weekend to play two of the best out west. Then they come back to Pittsburgh for a headline-worthy challenge next week within the Metropolitan Division.

Friday night the Pens are in Dallas. Sunday afternoon they are in Colorado. Both of those franchises have 93 points, good for a three-way tie atop the Central Division with Winnipeg for first place.

Mike Sullivan’s team played both of those clubs in consecutive games at home in late October as well, losing to Dallas 4-1 (Oct. 24) and blanking Colorado 4-0 (Oct. 26).

Then, on Tuesday, the Penguins welcome the Carolina Hurricanes with former Penguin Jake Guentzel making a quick return to Pittsburgh.

Guentzel was held without a point Thursday, but the Hurricanes still managed to win 3-2 over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Canes have won five of six games since getting Guentzel in the lineup from the Pens before the trade deadline.

So far, Guentzel has two goals and six assists in Carolina.

In need of re-Cal-ibrating

The Kentucky Wildcats were the victim of a huge upset at PPG Paints Arena during Thursday’s first round of the NCAA Tournament. Moon’s John Calipari went back to Lexington a loser as a No. 3 seed, falling to 14th-seeded Oakland 80-76.

That’s become a trend for Calipari. He’s in a bit of a postseason drought.

Kentucky has not made a Final Four since 2015. pic.twitter.com/0kxhITLnjo

— CBS Sports College Basketball ???? (@CBSSportsCBB) March 22, 2024

Maybe Calipari should stop swinging by Saint Vincent College every summer to visit Steelers training camp. The postseason failure seems to be rubbing off on him.