Steelers Activate OT Jerald Hawkins from COVID-19 Reserve List

The Steelers have activated backup tackle Jerald Hawkins from the COVID-19 reserve list for Monday night’s game against Washington.

Hawkins was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list on Nov. 27 and missed the Steelers’ Week 12 game against the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday.

The Steelers moved Matt Feiler from left guard to right tackle when Chukwuma Okorafor was not available for a play against Baltimore, with rookie Kevin Dotson replacing Feiler at guard. Dotson also worked as an extra tight end, a role Hawkins has filled for most of the season.

Steelers starting running back James Conner and starting center Maurkice Pouncey remain on the COVID-19 reserve list.

Hawkins, 26, was the Steelers’ fourth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and played five games for the team, including one start in three seasons. He missed the entire 2018 season with a quad injury and was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers along with a 2021 seventh-round pick for a 2021 sixth-round draft pick on the eve of the 2019 season. He signed with the Texans this offseason and was waived on Sept. 5 in the team’s final cuts.

The Steelers re-signed Hawkins after starting right tackle Zach Banner suffered a season-ending knee injury against the New York Giants in the season opener.