The Pittsburgh Steelers placed running back James Conner on the COVID-19 list on Saturday, while their scheduled opponent next Tuesday, the division rival Baltimore Ravens, added six more players to the list.
Conner is joining three teammates already on the list along with 20 Ravens — Baltimore is down to three defensive linemen — casting further doubt on the ability to pull off a game rescheduled from Thanksgiving night to Sunday to Tuesday night.
Conner, who leads the unbeaten Steelers (10-0) with 645 yards rushing and five touchdowns, joins defensive end Stephon Tuitt, defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs and reserve offensive lineman Kevin Dotson on the COVID-19 list.
The Steelers also announced special teams coordinator Danny Smith will not coach on Tuesday due to what the team described as an “illness.” Quarterbacks coach Matt Canada will also be unavailable because he is ill.
The announcement came on the same day the Ravens put outside linebacker Jaylon Ferguson, right tackle D.J. Fluker, defensive lineman Broderick Washington and offensive lineman Will Holden on the COVID-19 list. Two others — defensive backs Khalil Dorsey and Tavon Young — were on injured reserve before also joining the list Saturday.
The Ravens already had several starters on the list, including quarterback Lamar Jackson and running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins.
Ferguson has played every game this season at outside linebacker and Fluker was coming off three straight starts at right tackle.
The NFL has few options should the game need be further delayed. The league also moved Thursday night’s matchup between Baltimore and Dallas to Dec. 7.
Elsewhere in the league, the San Francisco 49ers may need to find a temporary new home after Santa Clara County on Saturday banned all contact sports from holding games and practices for the next three weeks. County officials issued the directives in response to rising cases of the coronavirus in the area. The rules take effect Monday and will last for three weeks.
The 49ers have home games scheduled for Dec. 7 against Buffalo and Dec. 13 against Washington at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. The team also practices at that site in the county.
“We are working with the NFL and our partners on operational plans and will share details as they are confirmed,” the team said in a statement.
