Two Pittsburgh Steelers tested positive for covid-19, coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday morning on a Zoom conference call.
“We’ve had two positive tests, but it’s been guys that obviously are not in our facility,” Tomlin said. “They have gone through the appropriate protocols and are back to work. I’m talking about dating all the way back to the spring of this thing.”
Players have not been permitted inside team facilities since the NFL mandated in March they be closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Coaches were allowed to return to work a few weeks ago, and Tomlin and his staff have been working from UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side.
Among the changes the NFL has implemented since the outbreak is confining training camp to team facilities, which means the Steelers won’t make their annual trip to Saint Vincent College in Unity Township.
The Steelers will conduct training camp this year at Heinz Field, but Tomlin acknowledged Tuesday he might use some of the training fields on the South Side in an effort to reduce the “wear and tear” on the team’s home playing surface.
The Steelers and Dallas Cowboys are scheduled to kick off the NFL preseason Aug. 6 in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Steelers defensive captain and player representative Cameron Heyward said last week he is pessimistic the Hall of Fame game will be played.
Training camps are scheduled to open in late July.
Tomlin was asked if he shares the opinion of Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who said social distancing measures implemented by the NFL will be “humanly impossible” to complete.
“I’m not necessarily worried about our ability to do it as we sit here today,” Tomlin said. “I’m more worried about our ability to do it a month from now when we get started. Being part of a lot of discussions and on committees, one thing is certain: Information is changing day to day. Technology is changing day to day.
“I’m comfortable with the overall trajectory of where we are headed. I’m sure by the time we’re called to execute procedures, protocols and policy that it will be realistic, normal and appropriate.
“Until that time, there is going to be anxiety for all of us.”
