In the wake of the announcement that Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey has coronavirus, the Steelers shut down their Monday media availability and announced that all results of Covid-19 testing on members of the Steelers organization were negative yesterday.
Spokesman Burt Lauten said the team “will follow the NFL’s intensive protocols and take precautionary measures at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex”. With no media availability, the next public appearance by a Steelers team member is expected to be coach Mike Tomlin’s noontime news conference today.
Humphrey played all of the 53 defensive snaps in Sunday’s game.
Linebacker Avery Willliamson is expected to take his physical today after being acquired by the Steelers from the Jets. The Steelers also get a 2022 seventh round draft pick while sending their ’22 fifth round choice to the Jets. Williamson will become a free agent after this season. NFL Covid protocol will keep him from joining the team until Saturday at the earliest, meaning he probably will not be in uniform Sunday when the Steelers play at Dallas. The team will receive a roster exemption until Williamson passes the protocol period, so no corresponding move was made after the trade.
The NFL trade deadline is 4 o’clock this afternoon. Yesterday, the 49ers traded linebacker Kwon Alexander to the Saints, and the Chargers sent cornerback Desmond King to the Titans.
The NFL is exploring the possibility of expanding the postseason playoff field to 16 teams. ESPN reports the NFL competition committee is expected to propose a 16-team playoff to owners as a coronavirus pandemic contingency plan, in the event that games are lost due to the virus. The four division champions and four wild-card teams from each conference would compete in the postseason. It would be a one versus eight, two versus seven, three versus six, and four versus five format.
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