PITTSBURGH — The Steelers will be undermanned when they travel to play the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night, but the injuries and absences due to COVID-19 might not be as bad as originally thought.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who missed the Lions game after he tested positive for COVID-19, took a test on Tuesday. He must have two negative tests in a row in order to be able to return to the team.
“Ben has an opportunity provided he gets the required negative testing to be available to play,” coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday afternoon during his weekly news conference. “You guys know we’ve been in circumstances with Ben in the past when he hasn’t been available to us during the week. If we get to the point in the middle of the week for Ben to get on a moving train, then that’s what we’ll do. I have no reservations about that. He missed time last year when he was on the close contact list. He got back to us late in the week and performed.
“He’s been injured and had discomfort in the past 15 years we’ve worked together. He always answers that bell. We’ll definitely leave the light on for him.”
Tomlin does not anticipate having safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for the game. He went on the COVID-19 list on Monday.
On the injury front, outside linebacker T.J. Watt’s knee and hip injuries suffered against the Lions are not serious, and Tomlin did not rule him out, though it sounds like it’s a long shot for him to play.
“The things he does routinely are not things that are done routinely by others, so we’ll see where his participation leads us this week,” Tomlin said.
Several others players left Sunday’s game with injuries. Right guard Trai Turner had to leave with an ankle injury, but Tomlin expects him to be ready to play against the Chargers, his former team. Tomlin sounded optimistic about receiver Chase Claypool, too.
Claypool missed the Lions game after injuring his toe against the Bears.
Left guard Kevin Dotson also has an ankle injury but his status is more uncertain. The same goes for cornerback Joe Haden, who left with a mid-foot sprain. Tomlin said both players will have an opportunity to practice.
