First Call: Darius Slay claimed off waivers; Browns open practice window for Deshaun Watson; Pens start rugged stretch

Thursday’s “First Call” has a new destination for former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Darius Slay. The prospect exists that the Steelers might get to face Deshaun Watson when they visit Cleveland after Christmas.

The Penguins open up a brutal stretch of games against one of the NHL’s division leaders Thursday night.

And the Robert Morris men’s basketball team begins defense of its Horizon League championship Thursday in Wisconsin, as the women score a narrow victory.

Buffalo bound

It didn’t take Darius Slay long to find a new home.

The former Steeler is going to play for the Buffalo Bills. The franchise claimed Slay off waivers Wednesday. In the process, they released cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram.

Bills claim CB Darius Slay off waivers. (via @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/qtJzKYglmW

— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2025

Pittsburgh said goodbye to Slay after a bust of a signing this offseason. The 34-year-old cornerback was a healthy scratch when Buffalo was in town Sunday to beat the Steelers 26-7. Instead of dressing Slay, the club decided to elevate Asante Samuel Jr. to the active roster.

Slay ended up playing in just 10 games as a Steeler, recording three passes defensed, a fumble recovery, 36 total tackles and one tackle for loss. He signed a $10 million contract to come here during the offseason.

Via ProFootballTalk.com, Slay was given an $8.74 million signing bonus. As a result, the Bills only owe him about $350,000 in base salary for the rest of the season.

Watson watch

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, the Cleveland Browns have designated Deshaun Watson for a return to practice. 

Watson’s last game was during the 2024 season — Oct. 20, versus the Cincinnati Bengals. That’s when he suffered an Achilles injury that has kept him sidelined until now.

This move opens Watson’s 21-day window to return to play. The Browns have three weeks to activate Watson to the 53-man roster. Otherwise, he will have to wait until next season before returning to action.

“It’s outstanding for Deshaun. He’s been working so hard rehabbing,” Stefanski said via TheAthletic.com.  “My focus is obviously getting back to playing football, practicing football … big next step for him.”

The Steelers visit Cleveland on Dec. 28. Shedeur Sanders has been the quarterback for the past two games in Cleveland. Last week against the San Francisco 49ers, Sanders was 16-25 yards for 149 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. He was sacked three times.

Sanders is slated to start again Sunday against Tennessee. The Browns also play the Chicago Bears and Bills over the following two weeks before hosting Pittsburgh.

Lightning crashes

Based on the weather, it’s the perfect time for the Penguins to get out of Pittsburgh and head south.

Based on how the Tampa Bay Lightning are playing, it is not.

The Pens are on the road for a contest against the Atlantic Division-leading Bolts on Thursday night. Tampa has the second-highest point total (34) in the Eastern Conference behind only Metropolitan Division-Leading Washington (36).

The Capitals are also the only other team with more regulation wins (16) in the conference than Tampa Bay (13). The Pens are next with 12.

With a plus-18 goal differential, the Lightning are the only club in plus territory in their division. Tampa has yielded just 67 goals, fewest in the Eastern Conference. Only Colorado (53) and Seattle (63) have given up fewer. The Penguins have allowed 68.

The team’s overall save percentage is .910, fifth in the NHL. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has 11 wins. That’s two off the pace of NHL leader Scott Wedgewood of Colorado. Nikita Kucherov is the team’s top point producer with 32, tied for 10th-most in hockey.

86 with the one-timer ???? https://t.co/qA3QEMjZWg pic.twitter.com/PammWS5Oyg

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 16, 2025

Tampa’s penalty kill is the best in the NHL at 89.2 % (Pittsburgh is fourth at 84.9). It’ll square off against a Penguins ’ power play that is clicking along at 33.3%, also the best in the NHL.

Tampa has struggled in man-up situations, connecting on only 16.3% of its power-play attempts, 24th in the NHL. Yet, Tampa is 11-4 since Nov.1, and recently had a winning streak snapped at seven games by the New York Islanders (2-1) on Tuesday.

After their game in Tampa Bay, the Penguins are in Dallas to visit the Stars. They have 41 points, trailing only Colorado (44) for the most in the Central Division and in all of the NHL. That game is on Sunday.

On Tuesday, Anaheim is in Pittsburgh. The Ducks have 33 points to sit atop the Pacific Division.

On the Horizon

The Robert Morris men’s basketball team begins Horizon League play tonight. The Colonials are at Green Bay.

Andy Toole’s team begins conference play with a 6-3 record. Green Bay is 4-5. They’ll squeeze in a second league game while in Wisconsin on Saturday night when they go to Milwaukee at 8 p.m.

RMU won the league tournament last year after finishing with the No. 1 seed thanks to a 15-6 record. Milwaukee was tied for second place at 14-6. Green Bay was 2-18.

The women’s team won Wednesday night 73-71 over Mercyhurst. Layke Fields had 24 points and six rebounds on 7-11 shooting to lead the way for the Colonials. Her previous game-high this season was against St. Francis with six.