Steelers activate CB Justin Layne from covid-19 list, release CB Breon Borders
The Pittsburgh Steelers activated cornerback Justin Layne off of the reserve/covid-19 list Tuesday, leaving only one player on the designated list created this year out of respect to coronavirus concerns.
Layne, a third-round pick last year, is expected to again fill a reserve role on defense while playing extensively on special teams in 2020. He was placed on the list July 29.
In an agreement between the NFL and its players’ association, players can be added to the list after testing positive for the coronavirus or after undergoing quarantine as a result of having been in close contact with an infected person. Teams are not permitted to disclose the reason that player has been added to the list, per NFL policy.
The lone player remaining on the covid-19 list is running back Jaylen Samuels. Last week, starting wide receiver James Washington and first-year cornerback Arrion Springs were activated off the list. Springs was promptly released.
To make room for Layne on the roster Tuesday, cornerback Breon Borders was released.
The Steelers’ active camp roster is at the 2020 NFL-mandated limit of 80. Full-squad training camp practices are scheduled to begin Monday at Heinz Field.
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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.
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