Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick tests positive for covid, MRIs on T.J. Watt injuries negative

Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick became the second Pittsburgh Steelers player to be placed on the reserve/covid list.

Fitzpatrick was placed on the list Monday after testing positive. The diagnosis could keep him from playing Sunday night at the Los Angeles Chargers.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger tested positive Saturday and was placed on the reserve/covid list. He did not play Sunday in the Steelers’ 16-16 tie against the Detroit Lions.

Meanwhile, diagnostic testing taken on All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt’s injured hip and knee did not reveal any structural damage, according to an ESPN report.

The results of the MRIs were negative, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, citing an unnamed source Monday.

Watt was injured late in the third quarter after colliding with teammate Joe Schobert while sacking Jared Goff.

Watt was assisted off the field and did not return for the final quarter or overtime.

He was one of four Steelers players who left the game because of injury. Coach Mike Tomlin will provide updates Tuesday at his weekly press conference.

NFL Network reported Monday that guard Kevin Dotson is week-to-week with a high ankle sprain. Dotson hobbled off the field and was taken on a cart to the locker room in the second quarter. The Steelers lost their other guard, Trai Turner, to an ankle injury in the second half.

The Steelers finished the game with backup center J.C. Hassenauer and reserve tackle Joe Haeg manning the guard positions.

Cornerback Joe Haden played nine snaps before exiting with a foot injury. NFL Network reported Haden is day to day.

The Steelers also won’t likely know until later in the week whether Roethlisberger will return from the reserve/covid-19 list in time to start Sunday night at Los Angeles. Tomlin said the 39-year-old quarterback was symptomatic.

Roethlisberger has said he is vaccinated against covid. Vaccinated players who have covid symptoms must return two negative PCR tests taken at least 24 hours apart and be free of symptoms for a 48-hour span.

If Roethlisberger does not return from the reserve/covid list this weekend, Mason Rudolph would make his second consecutive start. Rudolph completed 30 of 50 passes for 242 yards, one touchdown and one interception against Detroit.