Tuesday’s “First Call” has an update on Justin Herbert as his Los Angeles Chargers are poised to play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Ben Roethlisberger has a new opinion on the Steelers’ quarterback situation. A Baltimore Raven turned Steeler is heading back to the Birds.

An ex-Pitt Panther basketball star needs a new place to play, and Duquesne’s football team gets some props following its big win Saturday.

X-ray vision

Initially, the Los Angeles Chargers are getting good news on Justin Herbert’s injury in advance of the organization’s trip to Pittsburgh on Sunday.

The quarterback was rolled up while being sacked Sunday during the team’s 26-3 win over the Carolina Panthers.

Herbert was seen limping after the game and told ESPN’s Kris Rhim that he was getting X-rays.

On Monday, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh didn’t specify what Herbert’s injury was. However, he did tell reporters that the results from the X-rays on Herbert’s lower right leg injury were negative. That’s according to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, who added that the prospect of an MRI may still be in Herbert’s future.

So far, Herbert is 31 of 46 for 274 yards, three touchdowns, one interception, and two sacks for a rating of 95.7. That’s the fourth-best mark in the AFC.

The Chargers are 2-0 with wins over the Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders.

Change of heart

During last week’s edition of his “Footbahlin’”podcast, former Steelers star Ben Roethlisberger said the Steelers should go back to Russell Wilson at quarterback when he gets healthy.

After seeing what Justin Fields did this week to help the Steelers beat the Denver Broncos, Big Ben is changing his tune.

“He’s not turning the ball over,” Roethlisberger said of Fields this week. “They’re 2-0. (A) big test this week with the Chargers coming to town. To me, if Russ is healthy, I’m sticking with Justin. I said last week I wouldn’t. But what I saw (Sunday), I think he has earned and deserves the right to stay there.”

Roethlisberger explained the reasons for his change of heart.

“They took some shots down the field. I thought they opened it up more than they did last week,” Roethlisberger added. “Justin’s stats, 117 yards. Are you impressed? Probably not. Do you know what I am impressed with? No turnovers. I am impressed with efficiency. I thought he ran the ball when he had to. He did some really good things.”

I’ll give Roethlisberger the points about Fields’ running and avoiding turnovers. I’ll quibble with the use of the word “efficiency,” though. I don’t care how it’s sliced, one touchdown drive in eight quarters isn’t efficient.

It sure sounds like the Steelers want to keep Wilson on ice again for at least another week because of his calf. If it’s me, even if Fields wins another game with the team scoring less than 20 points on offense, I give Wilson a shot in Indianapolis in Week 4.

I have to find out if the offense will score more often with a more accomplished passer such as Wilson on the field.

If the Steelers beat the Chargers by actually scoring a few touchdowns and putting up some more points — while still protecting the ball — that’s a different story.

That would actually be “efficient,” and a reason to stick with Fields.

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Back to Baltimore

Former Steeler Chris Wormley is heading back to Baltimore.

According to the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Ravens signed the free-agent defensive lineman on Monday. Now 30 years old, Wormley was originally drafted by the Ravens in 2017.

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Wormley stayed in Maryland through the 2019 season. The Steelers traded a seventh-round pick to get him prior to the 2020 campaign. Wormley remained a Steeler until an ACL injury ended his 2022 season in December.

The Michigan Wolverines product spent 2023 with the Carolina Panthers. He has 11 career sacks and 146 tackles.

Goodbye to Blake

Blake Hinson is looking for a new home. The former Pitt basketball standout was waived by the Los Angeles Lakers over the weekend.

Los Angeles is using the roster spot to pick up former Toronto Raptor Christian Koloko.

Hinson averaged 10.9 points and 2.5 rebounds over eight Summer League Games. He shot 32.8% from 3-point territory. However, the belief of those who follow the team is that Hinson’s defense may not be of NBA caliber.

Hinson, though, could draw interest in free agency or from teams overseas.

A first-team All-ACC player, Hinson averaged 18.5 points per game for the Panthers in 2023-24. He was an ACC-best 42.1% from 3-point land.

Well-earned rewards

Saturday afternoon, the Duquesne football team scored a huge upset. The Dukes stunned 20th-ranked Youngstown State, 28-25. Now a few Dukes are being rewarded for their efforts in that game.

JaMario Clements earned NEC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his 204 yards rushing. The running back from Georgia galloped 75 yards for a touchdown with less than two minutes to go in the game. That TD ended up being the deciding score.

Clements had a 72-yard jaunt earlier in the game as well.

Pine-Richland graduate Luke Miller was named Rookie of the Week and co-Defensive Player of the Week. The Kent State transfer linebacker had 14 tackles. Wide receiver Tedy Afful was also named an NEC Prime Performer for his two touchdown receptions.

Jerry Schmitt’s Dukes (1-2) host West Virginia Wesleyan (0-2) in the team’s 2024 home debut Saturday.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.