Will Ben Roethlisberger Play In Week 10? Steelers' QB Faces COVID, Injury Concerns

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a few reasons to be concerned about the status of their starting quarterback against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday. Ben Roethlisberger has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in addition to dealing with an injury.

Roethlisberger hasn’t tested positive for the coronavirus, but he’s been deemed a “high risk” contact of Steelers tight end Vance McDonald, who tested positive for the virus Monday. Pittsburgh’s signal-caller must now remain isolated and stay away from the team’s facility for five days.

Offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins, running back Jaylen Samuels, and linebacker Vince Williams has also been added to the reserve/COVID-19 list.

If Roethlisberger continues to test negative for the coronavirus, he can come off the list in time for Sunday’s game. The Steelers are scheduled to host the Cincinnati Bengals for their Week 10 contest.

Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger was deemed a high-risk, close contact, per source. Provided he passes COVID tests this week, he would be eligible to come off the list Saturday and play Sunday against the Bengals.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2020

To be clear, Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger has tested negative and was placed on the Reserve/COVID list for close contacts, per source. Roethlisberger is said to have “been diligent” with his behavior around others.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2020

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford faced a similar situation last week. The signal-caller went on the list last Wednesday because he was a close contact of someone who tested positive for the virus. Stafford was activated Nov. 7 and played in Detroit’s Week 9 game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Roethlisberger was unlikely to practice this week even before going on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The quarterback injured both knees in Pittsburgh’s Week 9 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

The injuries forced Roethlisberger to visit the locker room during the game, though he did manage to finish the contest. There is optimism that Roethlisberger’s knees won’t keep him off the field against the Bengals, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports.

Roethlisberger has become known for playing through injuries in his career. The 38-year-old has 18 touchdown passes and four interceptions in the 2020 season.

The Steelers are the only undefeated team left in the NFL.