Steelers could lose another linebacker due to COVID-19

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebacker depth has taken a hit ahead of a huge game against the Buffalo Bills.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have truly been tested this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They lost their bye week earlier in the campaign due to an outbreak on the Tennessee Titans team and their Week 12 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens was rescheduled three times due to an influx of positive COVID-19 tests on the Baltimore side of things. After losing their first game of the season to the Washington Football Team, they’re going to be short one player ahead of a crucial Week 14 game.

On Thursday, the Steelers placed inside linebacker Vince Williams on the reserve/COVID-19 list, which means he’ll likely be ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.

Williams’ absence will be a huge one if ruled out for Sunday

This is the second time that Williams has been placed on the reserve list. After Pittsburgh’s Week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys, Williams was listed as a high-risk close contact of tight end Vance McDonald. Williams did return in time to suit up for the Steelers in their game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Williams has to spend a minimum of five days on the list. That all but officially rules him out, meaning the Steelers will lose yet another inside linebacker. Earlier in the season, starting middle linebacker Devin Bush was ruled out for the campaign after tearing his ACL. Robert Spillane suffered a knee injury this past Monday against Washington and is expected to miss “some time,” per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Now, Williams ends up on the COVID-19 list.

Williams played in all 12 games this season, where he leads the team with 63 tackles, while also recording 11 run-stuffs, three sacks and two fumble recoveries.

Now, the Steelers will rely on Avery Williamson and Marcus Allen to assume starting duties against a Bills offense that has put up an average of 378.8 yards of total offense (10th-most in NFL) and 27.8 points per game (tied for seventh-most).