Steelers staff member tests positive for covid-19; game at Cowboys is still on

An unidentified member of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. A statement attributed to spokesman Burt Lauten on Saturday said the male individual has self-quarantined and that the team and NFL have begun the process of contact tracing.

The Steelers had not had a positive test within the organization since training camp opened in early August. The positive test announced Saturday will not have any bearing on Sunday’s game between the Steelers and Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Texas.

“There’s no change to the status of the game,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email.

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

— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) November 2, 2020

According to a compilation by CBS Sports, the Steelers are one of at least 17 teams across the league who have had at least one positive test among the organization this week.

The league did fine the Steelers $250,000 and coach Mike Tomlin $100,000 for violations to its protocols for the mandatory wearing of face coverings during last week’s game at the Baltimore Ravens. The day following the game, Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey announced a covid-19 test he took before the game came back positive.

No tests administered this week on Steelers players have come up positive. If they did the player(s) would have been placed on the NFL reserve/covid-19 list. However, tight end Vance McDonald did not practice Friday because of what was listed on the league-mandated injury report as “illness.” Although there is no reason to believe McDonald is covid-19 positive, last week Humphrey had similarly missed a Ravens practice for the stated reason of “illness” and was testing negative throughout the week.

The full statement released Saturday by the Steelers regarding the positive test: “The Steelers were informed this morning that a staff member tested positive for covid-19, and he has self-quarantined. The Steelers are working with the NFL and medical advisors to complete the necessary contact tracing. We will continue to evaluate the situation and make the appropriate adjustments, as necessary, that best protect our players, coaches and staff members.”

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