In addition to 5 missing for covid-19 reasons, Steelers give 5 veterans day off

Wednesday was Veterans Day across the country. But every in-season Wednesday is a veterans’ day for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This Wednesday, though, more than most.

With five players on the reserve/covid-19 list, coach Mike Tomlin also gave five of his older players the day off. That group included his three most veteran offensive linemen: center Maurkice Pouncey, right guard David DeCastro and left tackle Alejandro Villanueva.

Also out for reasons aside from injury were tight end Eric Ebron and defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, tight end Vance McDonald and inside linebacker Vince Williams are unable to practice all week after McDonald tested positive for conronavrius, and Roethlisberger and Williams were deemed high-rick close contacts. Also in that category are backups running back Jaylen Samuels and offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins.

Roethlisberger, Tuitt and Pouncey are among those who have had most Wednesdays off all season. Roethlisberger typically hasn’t worked on Wednesdays over the past several years, and Pouncey also routinely has been given at least one day off per week in recent years.

Although he has beeny listed as having a nagging knee injury, fourth-year receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster also has not practiced on Wednesdays this season. That continued this week, although Smith-Schuster has never missed a game in 2020.

Because of heightened covid-19 concerns this week, the Steelers are limiting their time at the facility by making meetings partly virtual.

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