Steelers Planning As Though Ben Roethlisberger Will Play

The 8-0 Steelers are the only National Football League team that's still undefeated.

Roethlisberger, offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins, running back Jaylen Samuels and linebacker Vince Williams have all been placed on the Covid-19/reserve list. All will be isolated for five days and are not permitted in the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going into Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals with the impression that Ben Roethlisberger will be under center.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he expects all players will be available for selection provided they passed testing.

"I'm extremely comfortable in (Williams') body of work and level of preparedness that he can work much the same as Ben", Tomlin said.

"It will give their bodies some much-needed rest".

Roethlisberger, 38, went on the list Tuesday morning as a "high risk" close contact after tight end Vance McDonald returned a positive test for the coronavirus a day earlier.

Each player would need to pass COVID-19 tests - and produce back-to-back negative test results - before potentially becoming eligible to play Week 10. Sources say he will be allowed to visit the team's training facility to rehab his knee that he injured over the weekend. But with the veteran passer under center, the Steelers have gotten off to the best start in franchise history.