Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source
QB coach Matt Canada cleared to return to Steelers, coach during Ravens game | TribLIVE.com
Steelers/NFL

QB coach Matt Canada cleared to return to Steelers, coach during Ravens game

Chris Adamski
3288039_web1_ptr-Canada-092320
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks coach Matt Canada during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex earlier this season. Canada has been cleared to return to the team and will coach during the scheduled game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Assuming the game gets played Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers will remain without three players because of coronavirus concerns. But they won’t be without their quarterbacks coach anymore.

Matt Canada has been cleared to return to the team’s UPMC Rooney Sports Complex headquarters, according to Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten. It was announced late last week that Canada and special teams coach Danny Smith would not coach in the upcoming game against the Baltimore Ravens. Though the team did not specify the reason for either other than to say “illness,” if Canada did not test positive for covid-19, he would only have to serve a five-day isolation period in which he was testing negative before he could return to the team.

Smith has not yet been cleared to join the team, indicating he tested positive. Assistant wide receivers coach Blaine Stewart has taken over Smith’s duties and will serve in his role should the Steelers play the Ravens on Wednesday afternoon. That remains the scheduled kickoff time (3:40 p.m.) for the thrice-postponed AFC North showdown that originally was scheduled for Thanksgiving night but has been jeopardized by a covid-19 outbreak among the Ravens.

The Steelers, too, have starting running back James Conner, starting defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt and reserve offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins on their reserve/covid-19 list. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Ravens had 19 players on their list.

Canada is in his first season on the Steelers staff. A former offensive coordinator across the hall at Pitt, his previous job was as interim head coach at Maryland in 2018. His influence on the offensive gameplan has been noticeable in the increased usage of motion and misdirection.

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.

Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.

Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.

Get Ad-Free >

Categories: Sports | Steelers/NFL
Sports and Partner News