4 more Pittsburgh Steelers, including Big Ben, added to COVID-19 reserve list

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers placed four additional players on the COVID-19 reserve list, the team announced Tuesday, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

The list also includes OL Jerald Hawkins, RB Jaylen Samuels, and LB Vince Williams on the Reserve/COVID-19 List.

On Monday, tight end Vance McDonald was officially placed on the list after his COVID-19 test came back positive.

McDonald traveled with the team to Dallas over the weekend and played in the game against the Cowboys.

The Steelers are scheduled to host the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend, a team that already has five players on its list. These lists include players who are part of contact tracing, but haven’t necessarily tested positive.

A source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Big Ben was deemed a “high-risk, close contact.”

If he passes all COVID-19 tests this week, he would be eligible to play Sunday, Schefter reports.

In his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said the five players on the COVID list, including McDonald, will be tested daily and work remotely.

If their tests come back negative, Tomlin believes everyone except McDonald will be available to play Sunday. The Steelers are taking additional precautions this week, including all virtual meetings and weight training on a rotation.

“Our attitudes will really define our level of success in dealing with this," Tomlin said.

When asked why McDonald still traveled with the team and played Sunday after missing practice Friday, Tomlin said the Steelers are following NFL safety protocols.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin holds news conference after win over Dallas Cowboys (11/10/20)

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