Steelers TE Vance McDonald tests positive for coronavirus, team’s 1st since season began

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Vance McDonald became the team’s first player to test positive for coronavirus since the regular season began.

McDonald will be subject to the NFL’s intensive protocol for covid-19 after his positive test, according to a statement the Steelers released late Monday afternoon attributed to spokesman Burt Lauten.

The positive test result was learned by the team Monday morning — three days after McDonald sat out practice because of illness. McDonald, at that point, had not yet come up positive during any of the required daily tests. McDonald joined the team for the trip to Dallas and played during Sunday’s 24-19 win at the Dallas Cowboys that improved the Steelers to their best start in team history at 8-0.

The Steelers say contact tracing is underway. It’s likely some other players will be placed on the reserve/covid-19 list because of “high-risk exposure” to McDonald. Regardless of negative tests and/or lack of symptoms, those determined to have had “high risk” contact exposure to a covid-19 positive individual must isolate for five days.

The Steelers are scheduled to host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, six days after the McDonald positive test was announced.

For those asking what it means for teams to be in Intensive Protocol pic.twitter.com/xBWIxSYLqo

— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) November 2, 2020

A player who tests positive is beholden to NFL protocol for re-joining his team and visiting its facility. For asymptomatic players, the wait is a minimum of either five or 10 days after the initial positive test. The five-day timeframe is only applicable if the player receives two consecutive negative PCR virus tests at least 24 hours apart.

For players experiencing symptoms, there is no five-day window — the return to the team is permitted after 10 days, but even then only after 72 hours have passed since he most recently experienced symptoms.

Considering the team’s practice report listed McDonald as having an “illness” Friday, it’s likely he will fall into the symptomatic category.

The Steelers were among a minority of the league’s teams that had not had a player test positive since the season began in early September. The Steelers’ most recent usage of the reserve/covid-19 list was at the early stages of their training camp.

Last week, though, a yet-to-be-identified staff member tested positive.

A week earlier, the Steelers faced the Baltimore Ravens on the day Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey took a covid-19 test that came back positive the following day. Players are tested daily.

The full statement released by the team and attributed to Lauten on Monday: “The Steelers were informed this morning that a player has tested positive for covid-19. The player immediately was self-quarantined, and the organization continues to be in the NFL’s Intensive Protocol. We have been in contact with the NFL and medical advisors to complete the necessary contact tracing. The player will be placed on the team’s reserve/covid-19 List today.

“The health and safety of our players, coaches and staff members remain our highest priority.”

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