Yahoo Finance Steelers activate Ben Roethlisberger off reserve/COVID-19 list for Bengals game
The Pittsburgh Steelers have activated quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and three other players off the reserve/COVID-19 list one day before they host the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10.
Roethlisberger, offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins, running back Jaylen Samuels, and linebacker Vince Williams were all placed on the list on Tuesday morning and were eligible to come off of it Saturday at the earliest. The placement came less than a day after the team announced a positive test and placed tight end Vance McDonald on the list.
Players on the list either tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Roethlisberger and the three others appeared to be close contacts since the Steelers’ statement noted they had to isolate for five days.
Will Roethlisberger play vs. Bengals?
Steelers (8-0) coach Mike Tomlin said Friday he expected his first-string quarterback back in time for the game.
“We have that expectation because this week has gone according to plan in terms of his place in the procedure,” Tomlin said, via the team site. “If he comes off of the protocol, we are going to have an extended walkthrough [Saturday] just to give him an in-helmet perspective on some of the situational things, to put the finishing touches on our work, to allow him to work with the eligibles that he will work with in game, to have any necessary informal conversations that allow us to have a level of comfort as we push into play.”
Roethlisberger, who nearly all of last season with an elbow injury, hurt both of his knees in a win against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9. The 38-year-old briefly left that game, but the team was immediately optimistic he wouldn’t miss this week’s game.
The Steelers are scheduled to host the Bengals (2-5-1) at 4:25 p.m. ET.
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