Steelers dealing with COVID-19 as Burrow, Bengals visit

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers may have to put their undefeated record on the line without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

The Steelers are 8-0 for the first time in franchise history heading into a game against Cincinnati. Roethlisberger is one of five players the Steelers placed on the COVID-19 list after tight end Vance McDonald tested positive following a victory over Dallas. Roethlisberger was required to self-quarantine after contact tracing and could not practice with the team all week.

Mason Rudolph or Josh Dobbs will start if he can’t go.

The Bengals are coming off an impressive 31-20 win over AFC South leader Tennessee two weeks ago.

This is the 100th regular-season meeting between the longtime AFC divisional rivals. The Steelers have dominated the series in recent years, winning 10 straight meetings and 13 out of 14 (including playoffs).

At 8-0, Pittsburgh is the NFL’s last unbeaten team and is looking to become the first club to start 9-0 since the 2015 Carolina Panthers won their first 14 games. The Bengals were off last week but drilled AFC South-leading Tennessee 31-20 on Nov. 1, the team’s most complete performance during second-year head coach Zac Taylor’s tenure.

Steelers waiting for COVID test results for four players as the team prepares for Sunday's game

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