Joe Schobert, Chris Wormley placed on Steelers’ covid list

Three days before facing one of the NFL’s best rushing offenses, the Pittsburgh Steelers learned they likely will be without two of their most relied-upon rush defenders.

Inside linebacker Joe Schobert and defensive lineman Chris Wormley were placed on the NFL’s covid-19 list, it was announced Friday, meaning in all likelihood they will not be available for Monday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.

Schobert and Wormley became the sixth and seventh members of the Steelers active roster to go on the covid list in addition to five practice-squad players. Defensive lineman Daniel Archibong also was added to that designation Friday.

Three other regular contributors on defense began Friday on the covid list: linebacker Devin Bush, defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs and defensive back Arthur Maulet.

Per team and league policy, it was not specified that any of the players tested positive for coronavirus, though that is almost assuredly the case. It also is not known with certainty who is vaccinated, though it is believed Schobert and Wormley are.

In theory, under newly adopted NFL protocols, Schobert and Wormley could be asymptomatic and produce a pair of negative test results by Monday. But the tight time window coupled with the need for the Steelers to designate their gameday roster by 4 p.m. the day prior of the game suggest it is highly unlikely either could play versus the Browns.

Bush, Buggs and offensive tackle Zach Banner have been on the list for more than a week, indicating a reactivation to the roster could come soon. But if Bush and Schobert both are unable to play, the Steelers are down to three healthy inside linebackers on the 53-man roster: Robert Spillane, Ulysees Gilbert III and Marcus Allen. Allen, who was activated from the covid list Thursday, is a converted safety and therefore less than ideal to deploy against a team that ranks No. 3 in the NFL in rushing and features star Nick Chubb at running back.

Rookie Buddy Johnson has missed the past two games because of a foot injury and did not practice Thursday.

The defensive line has been depleted all season by injuries to veteran starters Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu. Unless Wormley, Buggs or Archibong is cleared, the Steelers are down to only Cameron Heyward, Henry Mondeaux, Carlos Davis, recently signed Montravius Adams and rookie Isiahh Loudermilk on the defensive line. Khalil Davis is on the practice squad.

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