First Call: George Kittle's status in question vs. Steelers; JuJu Smith-Schuster quells concerns about knee injury

Tuesday’s “First Call” has more news about some star San Francisco players who may be out for Sunday’s game against the Steelers.
Also, JuJu Smith-Schuster responds to reports about his knee problems, an ex-Steeler is in some hot water legally, and a Duquesne football player receives an NEC honor.
Kittle question
Nick Bosa isn’t the only star player for the San Francisco 49ers whose status is in doubt for Sunday’s game against the Steelers.
While Bosa is dealing with a contract holdout, Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle has a groin injury. And according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, Kittle was unable to practice Monday and may not be able to suit up in Pittsburgh this weekend.
In his only game against the Steelers — a 24-20 victory in 2019 — Kittle had six catches for 57 yards and three first downs.
In other news from San Francisco, defensive starters Dre Greenlaw (LB/hamstring) and Talanoa Hufanga (S/knee) were able to practice. Branch also describes safety Tashaun Gipson as “still sidelined, but optimistic.”
Meanwhile, the San Francisco Mercury News’ Cam Inman describes Elijah Mitchell as “ready to go for Week 1.”
He had 45 carries for 279 yards and two touchdowns over five games last year after battling multiple MCL injuries.
Bold words
Former Steeler JuJu Smith-Schuster is dealing with some knee problems. That’s the word from New England.
The Patriots wide receiver has a knee that reportedly “could explode at any point” and is “a mess.” That’s according to reporter Albert Breer on NBC Boston last week.
Could another Patriots trade happen this week? @AlbertBreer & @GregABedard join Felger to discuss pic.twitter.com/GPk0N8D4LW
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) August 28, 2023
But Smith-Schuster refuted those reports in the Patriots locker room Monday, claiming that he “feels great.”
The Patriots signed Smith-Schuster to a three-year, $33 million contract this summer.
Bad look
Ex-Steeler Jarvis Jones is dealing with the fallout from an arrest last week. The former first-round pick, who now works on the University of Georgia football staff, was arrested for speeding and reckless driving ahead of the Bulldogs’ season opener.
The incident happened late Friday before the team’s first game (a 48-7 win over UT-Martin) on Saturday. Via the Associated Press, an Athens-Clarke County police report states that the former NFL linebacker was arrested on charges of maximum limits speeding and reckless driving. He was released on $2,400 bond.
This story comes eight months after a high-speed crash killed Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy on Jan. 15.
Jones, now 33 years old, is the Bulldogs’ player connection coordinatorcoordinator. He played at Georgia from 2010-12, setting school records for sacks in a season (14.5) and tackles for loss (24.5) that still stand. He was then selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2013 draft and wasn’t retained after the 2016 season.
He retired before the 2017 campaign after being released with an injury settlement by the Arizona Cardinals.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Monday that Jones would face “internal discipline.”
An A-plus for Ayden
Duquesne defensive back Ayden Garnes was named a Northeast Conference Prime Performer for Week 1 of the 2023 football season. The redshirt sophomore corner earned the award in large part due to his interception return for a touchdown against Edinboro on the first snap of the game during Saturday’s opener.
Ayden Garnes gets the season started with a PICK SIX #GoDukes | @AydenGarnes1 pic.twitter.com/DbsG51sNSe
— Duquesne Football (@DuqFB) September 2, 2023
“I’ve been getting that play all (training) camp. I’ve been picking off that play a lot during camp. It was normal to me when I saw it. I saw the splits, and I was ready to go,” Garnes said after the game.
Garnes added a pass breakup, two tackles and a half tackle for loss as the Dukes won 49-7 at Arthur J. Rooney Field on the Bluff. The Dukes defense recorded four takeaways in the first quarter and five total in the game.
Duquesne has a healthy step up in competition next week as they head to Morgantown to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers on Saturday.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.