Steelers' TE Vance McDonald could return from reserve/covid-19 list against Ravens
The Pittsburgh Steelers could have tight end Vance McDonald back on the field Thursday when they play the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field.
Coach Mike Tomlin said Monday at his weekly press conference that McDonald has been “cleared to come back” from the reserve/covid-19 list. McDonald was placed on the list two weeks ago when he tested positive following the Steelers’ game in Dallas.
McDonald missed games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars. He is scheduled to practice Tuesday.
“We’re going to let the quality of his participation and how he responds to that work be our guide in terms of determining his availability,” Tomlin said.
Rookie guard Kevin Dotson also is on the reserve/covid-19 list. Players must be out a minimum of 10 days before they can be activated from the covid-19 list. Monday is Dotson’s ninth full day on the list.
With McDonald out, second-year tight end Zach Gentry was active on game day for the first time this season. Gentry, though, sustained what Tomlin called a “significant” knee injury after playing just six snaps Sunday in the Steelers’ 27-3 victory at Jacksonville.
Tomlin said he is waiting on clarification regarding the severity of Gentry’s injury, but said “it’s safe to say he will not be available this week.”
The Steelers have two tight ends on the practice squad: Kevin Rader of Pine-Richland and recently signed Charles Jones.
Running backs Jaylen Samuels and Trey Edmunds did not suit up against the Jaguars because of injuries, and linebacker Jayrone Elliott missed the game because of an illness. Tomlin didn’t have an update on their conditions.
Cornerback Joe Haden and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster missed snaps against Jacksonville because of injury. In addition to the practice Tuesday, the Steelers will have a walkthrough Wednesday before playing the Ravens on Thanksgiving.
“We don’t have a lot of physical work ahead of us,” Tomlin said. “Wednesday will be a significant day.”
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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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