Big Ben Put On COVID List, Could Still Play Sunday Vs. Cincinnati Thank God

The Steelers announced late last night that a player had tested positive for COVID-19. That player turned out to be tight end Vance McDonald. 

Tuesday morning they announced the following:

Not great. Definitely not great, but not terrible. 

While Big Ben was put on the list, it was mostly for precautionary reasons. He has already tested negative, but since he was close contact with Vance McDonald, he's put on the list. 

Roethlisberger will not be able to practice all week and will have to test negative on Saturday before he'd be able to be active and play Sunday vs. the Bengals at Heinz Field. It's something we saw Matt Stafford do last week for Detroit, so the fact that he showed up on this list today isn't doomsday for this Sunday. 

And honestly, Big Ben was having a hell of a week to start anyways. He tweaked both of his knees Sunday vs. Dallas so I'll gladly take this week for Big Ben to continue to test negative while also getting more rest for his body and knees. Could honestly be a win-win. 

Vince Williams is another big name to watch. One of the leaders of the defense. The Steelers are already short at the ILB position so if he tests positive and can't play on Sunday then Pittsburgh would have to thrust new linebacker they just traded for last week, Avery Williamson, into the mix along with Robert Spillane. 

Not ideal.  

Fingers crossed that big Vince and Big Ben can keep this thing at bay and away from them to be good to go for Sunday's Week 10 game against Joey Burrow.