First Call: N.Y. Post suggests Mike Tomlin should be on Giants radar; Bengals, Ravens injury news

Tuesday’s “First Call” has a connection between Mike Tomlin and the New York Giants coaching vacancy.

We have injury news from the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. There are some gambling trends to track in the Steelers-Bengals game on Sunday.

And we look at a busy start to the week for local college basketball at Duquesne, Pitt and Robert Morris.

Tomlin Talk: The New York Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll Monday. The New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy threw Mike Tomlin’s name into the conversation as a potential replacement.

Could #NYGiants Brian Daboll be replaced by a local coach who could've been part of his staff in 2025 had things broken a certain way? More in here. https://t.co/ZjD8wJEWMq

— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) November 11, 2025

“The Giants and Steelers organizations are tied together through family, so this wouldn’t be a poaching situation,” Dunleavy said of the Mara-Rooney ownership connections. “But what if Tomlin and the Steelers decide their partnership has run its course after 19 seasons with no losing records (but no playoff wins since 2016)? It feels like that dance happens every offseason.”

Eh, that “dance” has happened within the fanbase and the media. I don’t think it’s ever truly been entertained within the walls of Art Rooney II’s office.

Tomlin’s name has been linked to trade rumors in the past, like to Washington, Carolina and Chicago. 

Frankly, I think it makes sense to consider, depending on whatever compensation New York would want to give. And Dunleavy is right about one thing. It’d have to be an orchestrated, harmonious, three-way construction of a deal between the Giants, Steelers and Tomlin himself.

But Tomlin or Rooney II would have to want that outcome. There have never been rumblings on either side that such a desire exists.

Current AFC North coaches Zac Taylor (Bengals)and Kevin Stefanski (Browns) are also on that list.

Banged-up Bengals: The Steelers likely won’t have to deal with the Cincinnati Bengals’ top pass rusher again. Head coach Zac Taylor says Trey Hendrickson is doubtful for the game in Pittsburgh Sunday afternoon.

Bengals HC Zac Taylor told reporters that DE Trey Hendrickson is doubtful to return this week vs. the Steelers.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2025

Hendrickson missed the first game between the teams as well on Oct. 16. He played on Oct. 26 against the Jets, but was sidelined with a hip injury.

As for quarterback Joe Burrow, his 21-day practice window opened up Monday.

It's been 57 days since he injured his toe.
Joe Burrow is back on a practice field.#LFG #WhoDey pic.twitter.com/fXwQdNwmVu

— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) November 10, 2025

Recovering from turf toe, Burrow isn’t in play for a return against the Steelers. Taylor says he’s not even expected to take on team drills this week. 

Joe Flacco is anticipated to be the quarterback for Cincinnati again this week. 

Follow the money: The Steelers (5-4) had a droopy 25-10 loss in Los Angeles on Sunday night. They lost 33-31 to the Bengals (3-6) when the teams met earlier this year.

Yet they are favored Sunday afternoon when the clubs are slated to rematch. DraftKings lists the Steelers as 5.5-point favorites. The over/under total for the game is 49.5 points. 

According to BetRivers, the Bengals are on a seven-game losing streak as road underdogs. 

The Bengals have won three of their last four games in Pittsburgh and six of the last 10 in the rivalry.

Before that run, the Steelers won 11 in a row.

Ravens report: As the Steelers struggle, and the Ravens (4-5) are finding their form, the two teams are now separated by just one game atop the AFC North.

Baltimore is dealing with some injuries, though.

According to coach John Harbaugh, cornerback Marlon Humphrey might need finger surgery. That would sideline him for a week, maybe two. It’s also possible that Humphrey could keep playing with a wrap on the finger.

Coach Harbaugh on Marlon Humphrey's status: pic.twitter.com/3nfR2Yr8u6

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 10, 2025

Also, linebacker Jay Higgins has a knee injury. He will miss some time, but the injury isn’t season-ending, according to NFL.com.

The Ravens have their first game against the Steelers on Dec. 7. Between now and then, they face the Browns in Cleveland this week. Then they host the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals.

Dukes and Queens: In local college basketball Monday night, the Pitt Panthers beat Eastern Michigan 78-66, and the Robert Morris Colonials thumped Geneva 93-47.

We're up 55-30 at the U16. #GRIT pic.twitter.com/KU1xPqJWZ2

— RMU Basketball (@RMUMBasketball) November 11, 2025

POLO WITH THE THREE AND ONE ???? @THEREALP0L0

???? https://t.co/VOwexD8VqF pic.twitter.com/X13zifwTCU

— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_MBB) November 11, 2025

Josh Hill led the Colonials with 16 points. Pitt’s leading scorer was Cameron Corhen with 16.

As for Duquesne, the Dukes are in action at home Tuesday night against Queens University of Charlotte at 8 p.m. This is part of the Villanova Challenge MTE.

The Royals (1-2) just played Villanova as part of the event Saturday. They lost 94-74. The Dukes visit Philadelphia to play the Wildcats on Saturday.

So far, Dru Joyce III’s team has won over Niagara (83-63) and Sacred Heart (92-80) to open the season. Tarence Guinyard has 44 points over the first two contests to lead the Dukes in scoring. He was named Atlantic 10 player of the week on Monday.

The Duquesne women’s team (3-0) plays Tuesday evening at the UPMC Cooper Field House as well. They tip off at 5 p.m. against West Liberty (0-0). That’s the alma mater of Duquesne head coach Dan Burt.

Also on Tuesday, the Pitt women (1-1) host Cornell (0-1) at 6 p.m. The RMU women are at St. Francis on Thursday.