Steelers QB Roethlisberger off COVID list
Ben Roethlisberger’s unexpected week off won’t stop him from starting against the Bengals.
The Steelers activated their longtime quarterback and three other teammates off the COVID-19 list on Saturday, clearing the way for Roethlisberger to be in uniform when the Steelers (8-0) host Cincinnati (2-5-1).
Roethlisberger, linebacker Vince Williams, running back Jaylen Samuels and reserve offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins were forced to self-quarantine this week after teammate Vance McDonald tested positive for the coronavirus. All four players have repeatedly tested negative, clearing the way for them to play.
The 38-year-old Roethlisberger joked that while his body enjoyed the downtime, serving as a pre-K teacher for his three children wasn’t quite as fun as playing football. Roethlisberger didn’t miss a meeting thanks to advances in technology but admitted it wasn’t the same as being on the field.
“It’s definitely different than in years past because typically when I haven’t practiced, I’ve been on the field behind the quarterbacks,” he said.
Roethlisberger was able to watch every play of practice while Mason Rudolph and Josh Dobbs took the snaps, but he was unable to talk to offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner and quarterbacks coach Matt Canada in real time.
■ The Seahawks will be without running backs Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde for a third straight game when they play the Rams on Sunday. The Seahawks downgraded Carson, who has a foot injury and Hyde, who has a hamstring injury, to out on Saturday after initially listing them as questionable, announcing that news along with several roster moves. The Seahawks activated cornerback Neiko Thorpe off injured reserve, placed defensive tackle Bryan Mone on IR and elevated running back Alex Collins and defensive tackle Damon Harrison. ... The Packers activated linebacker Christian Kirksey from injured reserve Saturday. ... The Texans put running back David Johnson on injured reserve after he left the team's Week 9 game with a concussion. ... Vikings guard Pat Elflein was released by the team on Saturday morning. a day after he was activated off injured reserve, Elflein, a 2017 third-round pick, was recovering from a thumb injury he sustained in practice two months ago. The veteran offensive lineman will now go on waivers.
Soccer: A World Cup winner, European champion with Spain and Real Madrid, and expert penalty taker, Sergio Ramos had scored from his last 25 spot kicks.
On the night of his European men’s record-setting 177th international appearance on Saturday, he was given two chances from the spot to celebrate with a goal. Ramos missed them both.
Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer twice guessed right, and dived to his right, to save in the 57th and 80th minutes. Though the first was well struck, the second was a flat, slow flop of an attempted chip and kept Spain trailing by one goal. Ramos was spared further embarrassment by substitute Gerard Moreno firing an 89th-minute leveller in a 1-1 draw in the Nations League.