PITTSBURGH — If you believe that Ben Roethlisberger can't be effective without a normal practice week, or that he could do Ben Roethlisberger things coming into a game cold off his couch, the truth appears to be somewhere in the middle.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin did a rare post-practice Zoom call Friday afternoon to give an update on Roethlisberger's status on the reserve/COVID-19 list, saying "we do expect him to come off (the reserve list) and we have that expectation because this week has gone according to plan in terms of his place in the procedure." But Tomlin noted that he plans to have an "extended walk-through" Saturday to give Roethlisberger "an in-helmet perspective" on some of the situational preparations they've made for Cincinnati.
It's one thing to be limited throughout a week because of bumps and bruises — "His knees are fine," Tomlin said — but Roethlisberger hasn't been allowed to practice at all in-person since being categorized as having high-risk close contact with teammate Vance McDonald, who ostensibly tested positive for the virus Sunday. The franchise quarterback can return as long as he tests negative for five days away from the facility, and according to Tomlin, so far, so good.
Same goes for at least one other Steeler on the COVID-19 list, as Tomlin confirmed that he expects starting inside linebacker Vince Williams to be available for the Bengals game Sunday, as well. Offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins and running back Jaylen Samuels should be eligible, too.
"I anticipate Vince being available. I'm extremely comfortable in his body of work and level of preparedness that he can work much the same as Ben," Tomlin said, and not long after, Williams tweeted: "Guess who's going back to work tomorrow."
As those four work their way back, a couple rookies were out of practice Friday due to an abundance of caution. Running back Anthony McFarland, who didn't practice Thursday with an illness, and offensive guard Kevin Dotson did not participate, but Tomlin called them "illness-related" absences rather than possible COVID-19 diagnoses.
McDonald missed Friday practice last week with an "illness" designation on the injury report, but the Steelers still carried him on the roster to Dallas and allowed him to play in that game. Tuesday, Tomlin acknowledged the Steelers were following the NFL's COVID-19 regulations, considering that McDonald had been testing negative in the days leading up to the Cowboys game.
"Obviously, being in the heightened circumstances that we are in terms of the intensive protocol, we're exercising all the proper precautions in not allowing those guys to come to work," Tomlin said, "even though it's an illness."
What we know is that the team is officially listing McFarland and Dotson, both backups, as questionable for Sunday. McDonald also was classified as questionable this time last week. Meanwhile, on Tomlin's staff, assistant offensive line coach Adrian Klemm is unavailable for Sunday also due to an illness. Klemm was added to the injury report Friday, and this is the first time the Steelers have ruled out a coach.
It was never announced which staff member tested positive for COVID-19 last weekend before leaving for Dallas. Klemm, a former Patriots offensive lineman in his second year on staff, is normally one of five coaches in the press box on gamedays.
Better news came on the defensive side, where nose tackle Tyson Alualu "is a go" for Sunday after missing just one full game with a knee injury. Alualu exited the Ravens game two weeks ago after just six snaps and practiced on at least a limited basis the past three days.
As for veteran slot cornerback Mike Hilton, Tomlin characterized him as questionable because Hilton was less active in practice Friday. Hilton never got in more than limited work all week and hasn't played the past three games.
"I think that Tyson's in a better place," Tomlin said of Alualu, who carries no injury designation. "His participation was a full one today. There are very little reservations regarding his abilities or availability."
Alualu's return should lessen the need for reserve lineman Isaiah Buggs, who's questionable with an ankle injury. Buggs was limited in practice the past two days after sitting out Wednesday.
All the illnesses and nagging injuries could allow for some new faces to enter the mix against the Bengals, a team the Steelers haven't lost to since Nov. 1, 2015. It's probably premature to predict a rivalry rekindled, but all signs point to the first matchup between Roethlisberger and Joe Burrow, the first overall pick after winning the Heisman Trophy and national championship at LSU.
"To go up against a guy who won the Heisman a year ago, first overall pick, will be a challenge for us," Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt said Friday. "He's done some great things. But we feel very confident with the guys we have in our locker room and the game plan we have."
