The Pittsburgh Steelers swapped a pair of subpackage defensive players from their covid-19 list Thursday, reinstating Marcus Allen to the active roster and placing Arthur Maulet on the virus list.

Maulet has settled into the Steelers’ top nickel defensive back role as the season has progressed. Signed as a free agent in March, Maulet has 43 tackles (34 solo, four for loss), a QB hit and a forced fumble over 15 games.

Presuming Maulet can’t play in Monday’s home game against the Cleveland Browns, it’s possible the Steelers turn to rookie Tre Norwood to play against Cleveland’s slot receivers, although that is no sure thing because the Steelers have mixed and matched defensive personnel regularly in 2021.

Allen has become one of the Steelers’ most relied-upon special teams players. A converted safety, he also has earned a role as a dime linebacker over the past month. He spent eight days on the virus list.

Linebacker Devin Bush, offensive tackle Zach Banner, defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs and running back Anthony McFarland Jr. remain on the list.

New NFL covid protocols require negative testing to return to team settings.

Additionally Thursday, the Steelers signed receiver Darrius Shepherd to the practice squad. Shepherd has appeared in 14 NFL regular-season games over the past three seasons — all for Green Bay — though he has spent time with three other organizations in 2021.

The 5-foot-11, 186-pound Shepherd has six NFL catches.

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