Steelers Place Kevin Dotson on COVID-19 List, Activate Antoine Brooks Jr.

Cale Berger |

Updated: Dec 4, 2020

The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed rookie guard Kevin Dotson on the Reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Dotson missed practice on Friday with an illness. It is not known if he tested positive for the virus, but the Steelers did receive criticism a week ago when tight end Vance McDonald travelled and played against the Dallas Cowboys after sitting with an illness on Nov. 6. The move could be out of an abundance of caution.

The news comes the same day as Pittsburgh activated four players off the Reserve/COVID-19 list, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, after they all were identified as having had contact with McDonald. Dotson’s placement on the list could preempt further designation due to contact tracing.

Dotson was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Louisiana. He has played in all eight games this season and made two starts.

In a corresponding move, the Steelers activated safety Antoine Brooks Jr. off of the practice squad, adding the rookie to the 53-man roster to replace Dotson.

Brooks Jr. was selected in the sixth round of this year’s draft out of Maryland.