Steelers TE Vance McDonald Could Return from COVID-19 List Tuesday

The Steelers will be missing one of their tight ends when they face the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, but they might be getting another one back.

After head coach Mike Tomlin ruled Zach Gentry out of Thursday’s game with a knee injury, he said that co-starter Vance McDonald is scheduled to return to practice from the COVID-19 list on Tuesday.

“Vance is scheduled to work tomorrow,” Tomlin said on Monday. “He’s been cleared to come back. We are going to let the quality of his participation and how he responds to that work be our guide in terms of determining his availability.”

McDonald was placed on the COVID-19 list on Nov. 9 after testing positive after he played in the Steelers’ Nov. 8 game against the Dallas Cowboys. He had missed practice time earlier that week with an illness, but had tested negative in all his pre-game examinations.

Eric Ebron shouldered the load at the tight end position with McDonald out and Jerald Hawkins slid over from tackle on Sunday after Gentry was injured. Practice squad tight end Kevin Rader is an option to play on Thursday if McDonald cannot.