Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that some players who have been out for some time could be returning for the first playoff game, scheduled for Sunday.
Linebacker Robert Spillane, and offensive lineman Matt Filer could return to practice this week after both were put on the IR earlier this season.
Offensive lineman Kevin Dotson and linebacker Alex Highsmith have done good jobs filling in at their respective positions and Dotson would likely continue to get the start at left guard.
Tomlin is also optimistic that safety Terrell Edmunds with a shoulder injury and Chris Boswell with a groin injury could also return to practice after being inactive for the final game of the season against Cleveland.
Veterans quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, center Maurkice Pouncey, linebacker T.J. Watt and defensive tackle Cam Heyward, who were given the week off will also return to practice.
Cornerback Joe Haden and tight end Eric Ebron remain on the team’s Reserve/COVID-19 list.
During his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Tomlin said, “I will not speculate on the availability of players who were on the COVID-19 list on Sunday. He said it was a good day with test results today.”
“We don't need a daily reminder, every morning at 6a I am looking at my phone looking for the previous day’s test results. We know how fragile these times are, it's verification of the challenge of the journey,” added Tomlin
It was revealed on Tuesday morning that Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski along with two additional members of the coaching staff have tested positive for COVID along with two players, being identified left guard Joel Bitonio (a big loss for the Browns’ offensive line) and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge.
Defensive coordinator Mike Priefer will be the fill-in coach for the Browns on Sunday, while Stefanski can get the team ready remotely throughout the week.
The game is still currently scheduled for Sunday night at 8:20.
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