Pittsburgh Steelers place star on COVID-19 list, will miss Sunday

The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed one of their biggest stars on the team’s COVID-19 list, ruling him out for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was ruled out for Sunday’s game after being placed on the COVID-19 list, as the Steelers host the winless Lions.

Roethlisberger on Steelers COVID-19 list

“Ben Roethlisberger is OUT on Sunday after being placed on the COVID-19 list,” reported ESPN’s Field Yates on Saturday. “The Steelers will now likely turn to quarterback Mason Rudolph as their starter against the Lions on Sunday.”

The Lions are currently 0-8 on the season and will be looking to take advantage of the Steelers’ misfortune. With Mason Rudolph in the game, Pittsburgh will look to improve on their own 5-3 record and tie the division-leading Baltimore Ravens.

Rudolph has seen decent playing time despite being Roethlisberger’s backup, entering 15 games and starting nine over the past two years. As starter, Rudolph is 5-4 for his career, with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Steelers also without Chase Claypool

The Steelers had also officially ruled wide receiver Chase Claypool out for Sunday’s game with a toe injury. Claypool injured his toe against Chicago after having three catches for 30 yards and two carries for 11 yards.

Claypool is second on the team in receiving for the season, having 433 yards and a touchdown on 29 receptions. Only Diontae Johnson has more receiving yards on the season for Pittsburgh.

The second-year wide receiver has already missed one game this season, not playing in the Week 4 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Pittsburgh will already be concerned enough with their passing game with Roethlisberger being out, but their injured receiver unit will push more expectations on rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth. The rookie had a fantastic game last week with two touchdowns in the absence of Eric Ebron.

Having Freiermuth should make a huge difference for Rudolph as the Steelers hope the adage “tight ends are a quarterback’s best friend” holds true against Detroit.