Four Steelers joined tight end Vance McDonald on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, the team announced.
Ben Roethlisberger, Vince Williams, Jaylen Samuels and Jerald Hawkins are the Steelers who have landed on the list and will be isolated for five days. Each will have to pass COVID-19 tests throughout the week before potentially being eligible to play in Sunday's game against Cincinnati. Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that McDonald has already been ruled out.
Each of the four were deemed to have "high risk" close contact with McDonald on Sunday, resulting in their placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. Each can return to the team's facility at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Saturday if they test negative and don't exhibit any symptoms.
In the meantime, the five listed will only be permitted to participate in virtual meetings.
Roethlisberger's status was already uncertain due to the double knee injuries sustained in Week 9. With his placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list coming Tuesday, his availability becomes even more unpredictable, increasing the chances the Steelers will be forced to trot out backup Mason Rudolph. However, when Tomlin was asked Tuesday about Big Ben's status for Sunday he didn't seem too worried about his quarterback missing practice all week while quarantining, saying, "I have very little concern about it, to be very honest with you." Tomlin also noted that if Roethlisberger comes off the COVID-19 list on Saturday, he can participate in Saturday's walkthrough.
Williams, meanwhile, is in the midst of another productive campaign, recording 45 tackles and three sacks through eight games, and already setting a new career high for tackles for loss in a season with 14.
Pittsburgh came back to defeat the Dallas Cowboys in a close finish Sunday to remain unbeaten. They'll host the Bengals at 4:25 p.m. ET this Sunday at Heinz Field.
