The Steelers passed through a second consecutive day of no positive tests for COVID-19 in the aftermath of their 28-24 win last Sunday in Baltimore against the Ravens.
That's of significance after Ravens defensive back Marlon Humphrey tested positive for the coronavirus following the game. That placed the Steelers, who have matched their 1978 team for the best start in franchise history by going 7-0, into a more intensive level of COVID-19 restrictions for this week as they prepare to travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys (2-6) Sunday.
Mike Tomlin said Tuesday his team is doing everything in its power to ensure there's not an outbreak among the roster.
"It won't be any excuse for us in any way," Tomlin said Tuesday. "I'll say that. We've acknowledged from the very onset of this thing that we've got to have a plan, but we've got to be light on our feet. We've got to work at learning and preparing in different ways. This goes back to the virtual offseason. So, we won't be doing a lot of talking about The labor pains associated with this journey this week. We'll be concerned with the performance that's on the other end of it."
The league's intensive protocol for handing COVID-19 won't keep the Steelers from practicing this week. But it will create some additional levels of rules for the team to meet and practice.
All team meetings must occur virtually unless being held at an indoor facility with masks being worn by all. And the league instructs all team activities to take place either outdoors or in large, open spaces.
In addition to continued daily testing -- which was already taking place -- face masks also must be worn at all times on the practice field for players and staff. Full face shields are permitted.
Players are permitted to remove their helmet or mask during breaks, but are expected to be more than 6 feet from other players when they do so. They also are expected to all wear gloves, with the exception of the quarterback, who can leave his throwing hand uncovered.
The Steelers, who have not had a player test positive for COVID-19 since the start of training camp, have already been affected by the virus earlier this season. They had their Week 4 game against the Titans postponed and moved to Week 7 because of an outbreak on that team.
That forced the Steelers to move their bye, which had been scheduled for last week, to Week 4 and bumped their game against the Ravens to last Sunday, giving the team three consecutive road games. They've won the first two, beating the then-unbeaten Titans, then knocking off Baltimore.
Humphrey had been ill earlier in the week, getting held out of practice last Wednesday because of it. He then practiced the rest of the week and played against the Steelers, receiving his positive test from early Sunday morning later in the day.
Tomlin doesn't feel like the system of checks and balances in place to deal with those type of issues let the Steelers down.
"I'm extremely pleased with the efforts of the National Football League in response to the pandemic and the steps that we're taking continually," Tomlin said. "And they're continually growing and changing and developing, as needed. I have no issues with what we're doing in that area."
But the victories, especially in the past few weeks, have been costly. Cornerback Mike Hilton suffered a shoulder injury in the win over the Browns and missed the the past two games. Hilton practiced in a limited role last week before eventually being held out. Tomlin said the team will take a similar tact this week with Hilton.
Defensive linemen Tyson Alualu (knee) and Cam Heyward (quad) were injured against the Ravens. Alualu, the team's starting nose tackle, is expected to be out at least two weeks with a sprained MCL, while Heyward could play against the Cowboys.
"We're more optimistic about Cam Heyward," Tomlin acknowledged. "We'll wait and see regarding Tyson."
If Heyward can't play, the team might need to make a move on the defensive line. Reserve lineman Chris Wormley also suffered a knee injury in the win over the Titans and was placed on injured reserve last week. That leaves the Steelers with starter Stephon Tuitt and reservers Isaiah Buggs, Henry Mondeaux and rookie Carlos Davis as healthy lineman on the roster.
Mondeaux, a first-year player, was signed off the team's practice squad prior to the game against Tennessee and has now appeared in two career games, while Davis, a seventh-round draft pick, has been inactive for each of the team's seven games this season.
"With the number of those guys at the defensive line position, we'll be calling on guys at the depth of that position. They'll have an opportunity to rise up and play quality ball for us."
Tomlin said safety Jordan Dangerfield (quad) and fullback Derek Watt (hamstring) should be full participants in practice this week. Dangerfield missed the game last Sunday against the Ravens, while Watt appeared only on special teams against the Ravens after being limited most of last week.
The Steelers also are expected to activate offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski from the injured reserve list. Wisniewski has been out since Week 1 with a pectoral injury but has been practicing with the team the past three weeks after being designated to return.