The Steelers have another COVID-19 case on the roster.
Offensive lineman Joe Haeg, who has played both tackle and guard at times this season, was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday afternoon.
But with Haeg out, Ray-Ray McCloud is back in, as the team’s No. 1 return man has been activated from the list. McCloud missed last week’s game in Cincinnati, where Anthony McFarland and Cam Sutton handled his kick and punt return duties, respectively.
As with T.J. Watt, Haeg is likely to be out Sunday against Baltimore. He didn’t play an offensive snap last week, as the team opted to start B.J. Finney at guard, but it is another loss for the offensive line depth. Interior linemen Kevin Dotson and J.C. Hassenauer are both on injured reserve, and the Steelers had to sign versatile practice squad lineman John Leglue to the active roster last week.
Haeg is the fifth Steeler to land on the COVID-19 list in the past few weeks, after the team started the season as the last team to have any positive tests. Ben Roethlisberger, Minkah Fitzpatrick, McCloud and Watt preceded Haeg.
Freiermuth returns
Three days after losing him to a possible concussion late in the Bengals loss, rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. That was the best news from the first session of the week, as cornerback Joe Haden (foot) was still out and offensive lineman Zach Banner (illness) also was not available.
Inside linebacker Robert Spillane, who left early in Cincinnati with a knee injury, did not practice and could be week-to-week in his recovery. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn’t practice, as usual, as he manages shoulder and pectoral injuries. Starting right guard Trai Turner had the day off.
Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that long-snapper Christian Kuntz hurt his hip against the Bengals, but he practiced fully. The only player limited was wide receiver Chase Claypool (toe).
Ray-Ray Jackson?
With McCloud back from the COVID-19 list, the Steelers put him right to work — at quarterback.
As the defense prepares for Ravens star Lamar Jackson, they’re getting a simulation on the scout team from McCloud, who’s listed as five inches shorter than Jackson but can at least scramble about in the backfield a little bit like the 2019 NFL MVP. Defensive end Chris Wormley described one play in particular in which McCloud had carte blanche to not just run around the pocket, but even into a crowd of players who were watching from behind the line of scrimmage, then eventually uncork a throw downfield better than anyone expected.
“I was surprised at his arm talent,” Wormley said with a smile. “But it’s giving us a good look. A little better than Mason [Rudolph] and Dwayne [Haskins] are giving us this week, as far as the athletic, run-around feel of it.”
It’s not unusual for the Steelers to use speedy quarterbacks to replicate Jackson before facing the Ravens. Two years ago, they signed players to the practice squad with that as their sole purpose, and last year they did it with Josh Dobbs, who’s on injured reserve this season.
Welcome Adams to the family
Wormley estimated that new defensive tackle Montravius Adams, signed to the roster Tuesday, had been here for “six hours” or so by the time he hit the practice field Wednesday. But he was out there wearing No. 57, all 6-feet-3, 304 pounds of him, and according to Wormley, he slotted right in at nose tackle.
“Montravius is a good player. I actually trained with him during combine training five years ago now, so we have some familiarity,” Wormley said. “I know what type of player he is. I’m excited for him to get into the playbook a little more, what we do as a D-line, and contribute as fast as possible.”
Adams was added directly to the 53-man roster, unlike when the Steelers brought in players with NFL experience such as Jacob Tuioti-Mariner and Taco Charlton. That could mean that Adams is inserted into the lineup as soon as Sunday, if he’s up to speed.
Brian Batko: bbatko@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrianBatko.
First Published: December 1, 2021, 5:35 p.m.
