Steelers Set to Re-Open Facility to Rehabbing Players, Some Staff on Tuesday
With the NFL permitting teams to re-open their practice facilities to players beginning on Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to be among the first group of teams to take advantage
The NFL closed its facilities league-wide in response to the coronavirus pandemic in March. In a memo to teams on Friday, commissioner Roger Goodell said facilities can be opened on Tuesday, as long as they are operated within the restrictions of local jurisdictions.
Allegheny County entered the yellow phase of re-opening implemented by Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf on Friday, which permits gatherings of fewer than 25 people. Indoor recreation and health and wellness facilities such as gyms, must remain closed.
A Steelers spokesperson confirmed in a statement to local media on Friday that UPMC Rooney Sports Complex will be among the NFL facilities that open on Tuesday.
The only personnel that will be allowed into the facilities starting on Tuesday will be players that are rehabilitating injuries and a limited amount of non-player and non-coaching staff, up to a total of 75 per day. Of the coaching staff, only strength and conditioning coaches are permitted in the building to work with rehabbing players.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is returning from elbow surgery that shortened his 2019 season, and tight end Eric Ebron, who had a pair of ankle surgeries in 2019, could be among the players that are permitted to return beginning on Tuesday.
“This first phase of reopening is an important step in demonstrating our ability to operate safely and effectively, even in the current environment,” Goodell wrote. “After we implement this first phase, and as more states and localities enact policies that allow more club facilities to reopen, I expect that additional staff, likely including coaching staff, will be allowed to return to club facilities in a relatively short time.”
Read This Next
