Steelers' Mike Tomlin preparing to start Mason Rudolph at QB in Week 11 game with Chargers

Mike Tomlin is proceeding with the plan that Mason Rudolph will make his second consecutive start for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they play at the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night.

He’s also “leaving the light on” for Ben Roethlisberger to return from the reserve/covid list and for All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt to return from hip and knee injuries.

With Roethlisberger’s availability in question, Tomlin said the Steelers have started planning for Rudolph to take the snaps for the second week in a row.

“We’re going to highlight his talent and skills relative to the opponents that we intend to play,” Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly press conference.

Rudolph completed 30 of 50 passes for 242 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the Steelers’ 16-16 tie against the Detroit Lions. The start came one day after Roethlisberger tested positive for covid.

Roethlisberger must pass two PCR tests taken at least 24 hours apart. Because Roethlisberger was symptomatic, he also must be free of symptoms for 48 hours before he is cleared to rejoin the Steelers.

The Steelers will fly to Los Angeles on Saturday.

Last season, Roethlisberger missed an entire week of practice when he was listed as being in close contact with tight end Vance McDonald, who had tested positive. He was cleared to return the night before the Steelers played the Cincinnati Bengals.

Tomlin said Roethlisberger took part virtually in team meetings that were held Monday.

“If we get to the point in the week where Ben has the opportunity to get on a moving train, that’s exactly what he’ll do,” Tomlin said. “He’s capable of executing the game plan. I really have no reservations about that.”

Tomlin, though, doesn’t expect free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to be activated before the Steelers play the Chargers. Fitzpatrick was placed on the reserve/covid list Monday.

Fitzpatrick has started 39 consecutive games for the Steelers since joining them early in the 2019 season.

“We’ll focus our energies on those that are (available),” Tomlin said, indicating the Steelers will use multiple players to fill in at free safety in the base defense and subpackages.

“Minkah has a well-rounded skill set. You put him in any circumstance, he’s going to perform relatively well. It might divide the labor up a bit more.”

Watt left the tie against the Lions late in the third quarter after he collided with inside linebacker Joe Schobert. He did not return. MRIs taken on Watt’s hip and knee reportedly were negative.

“We’ll see where his participation leads us this week,” Tomlin said.

Tomlin said guard Trai Turner (ankle) and wide receiver Chase Claypool (toe) are expected to practice this week. He said the information he has is “less clear” about the potential return of guard Kevin Dotson (ankle) and cornerback Joe Haden (foot).

Here is some else of what Tomlin had to say at his press conference:

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