Virus rules hit 80 Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ pursuit of a perfect season has a new opponent in the coronavirus.
On Tuesday, a day after NFL’s last unbeaten team placed tight end Vance McDonald on the COVID19 list following a positive test, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and three other teammates — inside linebacker Vince Williams, running back Jaylen Samuels and offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins — joined it, making their availability for Sunday’s game against Cincinnati ( 251) uncertain.
The reserve/ COVID19 list is for players who have tested positive or have been in close contact with someone who has. All players who have been in close contact must quarantine for five days and are unable to visit the team’s practice facility, but can participate virtually. They must pass COVID19 tests throughout the week to have an opportunity to play.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said it’s possible Roethlisberger andWilliams could rejoin the Steelers ( 80) for their walkthrough practice Saturday. Tomlin pointed to Roethlisberger’s experience as a 17year veteran as one of the reasons he would have no issue playing Roethlisberger if he’s cleared.
Hiring incentives: NFL owners have approved a proposal that will reward organizations for developing minority coaches and frontoffice executives who become head coaches, general managers or team presidents for other clubs.
Also, the league’s owners unanimously approved a contingency plan to expand the playoff field to 16 teams if meaningful games are canceled because of the pandemic.
The voting was held Tuesday during a virtual meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and league executives.
Teams that lose a minority coach or an executive to a head coach position or primary football executive role with another club will receive a thirdround compensatory pick for two consecutive years. If a team loses a minority coach and an executive to both headcoach and general manager/ president roles, that club will receive a thirdround compensatory pick for three consecutive years.
The resolution must be approved by the NFL Players Association.
The postseason, which already was expanded from 12 to 14 teams before the coronavirus pandemic, will be adjusted if the league can’t complete its full slate of games within the original 17week schedule or with an additional 18th week. The 16team playoff system would be incorporated only if potential playoff teams miss games. Giants promote Pettis: The New York Giants have added ex49ers wide receiver/ return specialist Dante Pettis to the roster and activated starting left guardWill Hernandez off the reserve/ COVID19 list after missing two games. The Giants ( 27) also waived cornerback Corey Ballentine, a sixthround pick a year ago. Briefly: The Vikings placed cornerback Holton Hill on injured reserve with a foot injury that has kept him out of the past four games. Minnesota also activated linebacker Todd Davis from the reserve/ COVID19 list and placed long snapper Austin Cutting on it. ... The Ravens fortified their defensive backfield by signing freeagent cornerback TramonWilliams, 37, who hasn’t played since last season. ... The Jaguars signed former 49ers kicker Chase McLaughlin off Minnesota’s practice squad and expect him to kick at Green Bay on Sunday. McLaughlin will be the team’s sixth kicker this season, following Josh Lambo, BrandonWright, Aldrick Rosas, Stephen Hauschka and Jon Brown. ... Dallas cornerback Trevon Diggs will miss several weeks with a broken foot, a blow for a defense that was playing better in part because of the rookie’s contributions.