ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 08: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)Moments ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers placed Ben Roethlisberger on the Reserve list, but it has nothing to do with the knee injury he suffered against the Dallas Cowboys this weekend.
It turns out that Roethlisberger was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Jerald Hawkins, Jaylen Samuels and Vince Williams will join him on that list.
“The players will need to pass COVID-19 tests throughout the week before they before they are potentially eligible to play against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday,” the Steelers said in a statement. “The players are permitted to take part in virtual meetings.”
Steelers placed QB Ben Roethlisberger, OL Jerald Hawkins, RB Jaylen Samuels, and LB Vince Williams on the Reserve/COVID-19 List.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2020
On Monday night, the Steelers announced that Vance McDonald tested positive for the virus. There’s a good chance that Hawkins, Roethlisberger, Samuels and Williams were all close contacts with him.
The Reserve/COVID-19 list isn’t just for players who test positive, it’s for the ones that were in contact with someone who has it.
Since the NFL rules call for players in contact with the virus to isolate for five days, it’s possible that Roethlisberger will be cleared in time to play this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
In the event that Roethlisberger can’t play on Sunday, the Steelers will have to rely on Mason Rudolph.
It’d be a tough blow to the offense if Big Ben can’t suit up this weekend. He had 306 passing yards and three touchdowns this past Sunday in a comeback win.
