One day before their game with the Cowboys, the Steelers announced Saturday morning that a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19.
The club says the member has self-quarantined and that they are working with the league medical advisors to conduct contact tracing.
"We will continue to evaluate the situation and make the appropriate adjustments, as necessary, that best protect our players, coaches and staff members," Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said in a released statement.
This is the first positive test for any Steelers' player or staff since the start of training camp in August.
Per the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Steelers cannot disclose the person's identity without their consent.
On Friday, the league fined the Steelers $250,000 and Mike Tomlin $100,000 because coaches were not wearing masks during their win over the Ravens, violating the NFL's COVID-19 protocols. They were the third team to be fined by the league for that. The Titans were fined $350,000 for their outbreak earlier in the season, and the Raiders have been stripped of $650,000 and a sixth-round pick for their repeated violations.
The day after that win, Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey tested positive for COVID-19. He played every defensive snap in that game. Seven other Ravens were placed on the Reserve/COVID list, which was created for a player who either tests positive for COVID-19 or who has been in close contact with an infected person or persons.
The Steelers do not currently have any players on the Reserve/COVID list.
The Steelers and Cowboys are set to play in Dallas Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 4:25 p.m.
