Ben Roethlisberger on track to come off COVID list and play vs. Bengals

Ben Roethlisberger is on track to return and play this Sunday after spending the week on the COVID-19 list.

The Pittsburgh Steelers received some unfortunate news this week when tight end Vance McDonald tested positive for COVID-19 and several individuals were deemed to be at high-risk due to contact with him.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was among that group and has spent the week on the COVID reserve list. It is now Friday and a divisional matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals is only two days away. Good news comes with the fact the veteran quarterback remains on track to come off the list Saturday and play Sunday.

Ben Roethlisberger on track to play against Bengals

The Steelers are the NFL’s lone remaining undefeated team, and despite their record, the Bengals are not some pushover. Not having Roethlisberger would be a huge loss and the fact he is still able to virtually prepare for the game should mean there are no issues if he does return.

He still needs to pass all the protocols and turn in a negative test before he is officially allowed to return. Being in quarantine should mean there are no issues, but obviously we have to wait and see.

Mason Rudolph would get the start if Roethlisberger were forced to sit out, and that did not go so well for the team in 2019. The Steelers barely took down the Dallas Cowboys last week and need to be at full strength to preserve the undefeated record. In fact, the team has three straight close victories even with their star signal-caller under center.

Playing 2020 under COVID protocols means players without the virus may miss a week due to the league being extra caution. That is just the way of the world and Steelers fans can rest easy knowing Roethlisberger should return for Sunday.