Steelers place WR Ray-Ray McCloud on reserve/covid list, promote TE Kevin Rader
For the third time in two weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers placed a player on the reserve/covid list.
Wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud became the latest player to either test positive or be in close contact with a positive test case.
McCloud follows in the heels of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Roethlisberger missed one game and was cleared to return against the Los Angeles Chargers. Fitzpatrick missed the 41-37 loss because of his stay on the reserve/covid list, but he is expected to be activated this week.
McCloud caught two passes for 12 yards and averaged 31.5 yards on two kickoff returns.
In other moves, the Steelers promoted tight end Kevin Rader to the 53-man roster. Tight end Eric Ebron injured his knee against the Chargers, and coach Mike Tomlin listed him as questionable to return this weekend when the Steelers play the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Rader, who attended Pine-Richland, was active in Week 9 against Chicago and caught his first NFL pass.
On the practice squad, the Steelers brought back guard Rashaad Coward and signed tight end Jace Sternberger while releasing quarterback James Morgan.
The Steelers released Coward earlier in the season, and he was claimed by the Jacksonville Jaguars only to be released two weeks later. Kevin Dotson’s ankle injury that landed him on injured reserve left the Steelers seeking depth at guard.
Sternberger spent the previous two seasons with Green Bay, but he was released by the Packers and then the Washington Football Team this year.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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