Jerald

Hawkins

Steelers OL Jerald Hawkins, RB Jaylen Samuels, and LB Vince Williams were also put on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Vance McDonald on Monday tested positive after he played 20 snaps in the Steelers’ Week 9 win over the Cowboys. Roethlisberger was considered a high-risk close contact of someone who tested positive for the virus, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He’ll have to self isolate for five days. Barring a positive COVID test, Roethlisberger should be able to come off the list on Saturday and play this week against the Bengals. Mason Rudolph should be picked up in deep superflex leagues in the meantime.

A 2016 fourth-rounder, Hawkins was traded to the Bucs at final cuts last year. He appeared in one game and wasn’t re-signed this offseason. Hawkins has missed two full seasons to injury and hasn’t shown much when on the field. He would be a depth option behind Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard.

The Steelers are also giving the Bucs a 2021 seventh-rounder. Hawkins apparently caught coach Bruce Arians’ eye when the sides met this preseason. A 2016 fourth-rounder, Hawkins missed all of 2018 with a torn quad. All five of his career appearances came in 2017. He’ll begin the year as the Bucs’ final lineman.

He suffered the injury at Wednesday’s practice and has already undergone surgery. Injuries have limited Hawkins to just 48 snaps since arriving as a fourth-round pick in 2016.

The 123rd overall pick, Hawkins is blessed with ideal offensive tackle length but is a sub-par athlete who got pushed around in the SEC. He’s a long shot to develop into an NFL starter but could become a reliable swing tackle.

Hawkins suffered a shoulder injury early in camp and couldn’t get over it. An MRI revealed a torn labrum, which will require surgery. Hawkins was a fourth-round rookie from LSU.

A 2016 fourth-round pick out of LSU, Hawkins “redshirted” his rookie year due to a torn labrum in his shoulder. Hawkins stands 6-foot-6, 305 with long arms. He could emerge as Pittsburgh’s swing tackle as a sophomore.

“You never want to see something like that,” said RG Ramon Foster of Hawkins’ injury. Word is Hawkins went down “screaming” in pain during a drill. Hawkins was expected to be the Steelers’ swing tackle this season.

Hawkins (6'6/305) turned pro following his redshirt junior season after starting 37 games for the Tigers, 25 at right tackle and his final 12 on the left. Hawkins possesses an NFL body with long arms (34 1/4"), but he got pushed around too often in the SEC and tested out painfully poorly, running 5.23 with a 23 1/2-inch vertical and 8-foot-4 broad jump at the Combine. Hawkins looks the part of an NFL left tackle, but doesn’t move or play like one. He’s a long shot to develop into a quality starter.