Ben Roethlisberger will work virtually this week as he attempts to get off the NFL's Reserve/COVID-19 List after testing positive for the virus and missing the team's 16-16 tie Sunday against the Lions.
But the Steelers (5-3-1) will formulate a game plan Tuesday that will focus on what they need to do this Sunday in Los Angeles against the Chargers (5-4) that will work on the assumption that Mason Rudolph will get his second consecutive start.
"Ben has an opportunity, providing he gets the required negative testing to be able to play," Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. "We've been in circumstances with Ben in the past where he's been less than available over the course of the week. Like I told the team yesterday, we're going to build our plan around getting Mason ready to play. We're going highlight his talents and skills relative to the opponent we're getting ready to play. (We'll) build that plan and work that plan. We've got a young offensive unit. We'll let that lead us throughout the week.
Roethlisberger tested positive for COVID Saturday after self-reporting symptoms. But he was feeling better Tuesday and took his first test. If he tests negative for the virus on Tuesday, another negative test on Wednesday would get him clearance to be removed from the Reserve/COVID List.
"If we get to a point in the week where Ben has an opportunity to get on a moving train, that's what he'll do," Tomlin said. "He'll be capable of executing the game plan. I really have no reservations about that. He missed a significant amount of time in a week last year when he was on a close-contact list. He got back to us late in the week and performed. He's had injuries in the past over the course of the 15 years we've worked together, and he's always answered that bell. We'll leave the light on for him."
The same might not be said for All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick also was feeling ill Monday and then tested positive for the virus.
He would need to first be symptom-free and then have two negative tests within a 24-hour period to be cleared to return to the team in time to play against the Chargers.
And unlike simply plugging Rudolph in for Roethlisberger, replacing Fitzpatrick in the defense might require multiple players. Rookie Tre Norwood could see some time at free safety, while Karl Joseph, a former first-round pick of the Raiders, also could be activated from the practice squad to also play there.
"Minkah is in the protocol. We don't anticipate him coming back. Again, we don't spend a lot of time lamenting those things or worrying about those who are unavailable to us," Tomlin said. "We focus our energies on those that are, the division or labor. Minkah is the type of guy that it might be a multiple-person job in an effort to highlight their individual skills. Minkah has a well-rounded skillset. You put him in any circumstances and he's going to perform relatively well.
"It may divide the labor up a little bit more. That's what we do. We look at the hand that's dealt. We play the hand that's dealt. We put ourselves in position to win."
Tomlin said he won't rule out outside linebacker T.J. Watt to play this week. Watt left the game against the Lions with hip and knee injuries. MRI tests on Monday revealed no significant damage, but Watt does have a knee sprain along with a severely bruised hip.
"I'll always leave the light on for T.J. Watt," Tomlin said. "The things that he does routinely are not things that are done routinely by others. We'll see where his participation leads us this week."
If Watt is unable to play, Taco Charlton and Derek Tuszka would see more snaps, with Charlton, a former first-round draft pick of the Cowboys, likely getting the start.
Tomlin said wide receiver Chase Claypool, who missed the game against the Lions with a toe injury, is expected to return to practice Wednesday, while guard Trai Turner, who left in the second half with an ankle injury against Detroit, is expected to play against the Chargers, as well.
But the news isn't so optimistic regarding guard Kevin Dotson and cornerback Joe Haden. Dotson suffered a high-ankle sprain in the second half against the Lions, while Haden went down with a mid-foot sprain in the first half.
If Dotson can't play, look for B.J. Finney to take his place in the starting lineup at left guard. J.C. Hassenauer, the team's backup center took Dotson's spot in game with Finney inactive, but the Steelers feel Finney is the better option at guard.
Haden would be replaced second-year pro James Pierre.
It's a lot of potential moving parts this week and has Tomlin thinking back to the team's last trip to Los Angeles to face the Chargers. With Roethlisberger out for the season, Rudolph was elevated to being the team's starter. But he suffered a concussion against the Ravens, forcing the Steelers to give Duck Hodges his first career start against the the Chargers.
Hodges competed 15 of 20 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown in that Week 6 game, leading the Steelers to a 24-17 victory.
"As a competitor, and I'm a competitor, we're always excited about having an opportunity to smile in the face of adversity, the adversity that life in the game of football presents, whether it be injuries, COVID or otherwise," Tomlin said. "That's just always something that has my attention. That's something we're always ready to stand up against. I think about the last time we went to LA, we went out there with Duck Hodges and had a pretty good day. That was then, this is now. We've got a big week ahead of us in terms of the work.
