Report: Steelers CB Joe Haden Tested Positive for COVID-19, Will Miss Playoff Game

Steelers cornerback Joe Haden will miss the team’s final regular-season game and first playoff game after testing positive for COVID-19, according to a Saturday report by Brooke Pryor of ESPN.

“I’m so pissed and sad at the same time,” Haden said on Twitter. “Stay safe out there.”

Haden will have to isolate from his teammates for at least 10 days, meaning that he will miss both the team’s regular season finale against Cleveland on Jan. 3 and first playoff game at Heinz Field on either Jan. 9 or 10.

Players that are considered close contacts of Haden’s will also miss Sunday’s game in Cleveland, but will be eligible to return to the team after five days of isolation, as long as they continue to test negative. Those players, if identified on Saturday, would miss team practice sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

The Steelers did not have any players on the COVID-19 reserve list before Haden’s reported positive test.

Haden, 31, has stared 14 of 15 games for the Steelers this season and leads the team with 12 passes defended. He also has two interceptions and has recorded 52 tackles.

Dime corner Cam Sutton will likely move out to the outside to replace Haden, as he did earlier this season, with Justin Layne moving into the Dime package.