Titans, Patriots on track to play
WASHINGTON • The Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots had no positive tests for COVID-19 returned Friday morning, a step toward both teams being able to play in their rescheduled games early next week.
The results were confirmed by a source. Neither team was expected to practise Friday but that would change over the weekend if there are no further positive tests.
The NFL announced Thursday evening that it was rescheduling the Patriots’ game in Foxborough, Mass., against the Denver Broncos, originally scheduled for Sunday, for Monday at 5 p. m. Eastern time. The Titans’ game scheduled for Sunday in Nashville against the Buffalo Bills was pushed to Tuesday at 7 p. m. Eastern time.
The schedule manoeuvres are contingent upon no further coronavirus- related issues for the Titans or Patriots, according to a person familiar with the league’s planning. If the Titans- Bills game is played Tuesday as currently planned, the Bills’ following game scheduled for Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs in Buffalo would be delayed until the following weekend.
“These scheduling decisions were made to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day personnel and in consultation with medical experts,” the NFL said late Thursday in its written announcement of the changes.
The test results Friday for the Titans ended two straight days with positive results amid a continuing outbreak on the team. The Titans’ facility was shut down last week and 21 members of the organization, including a dozen players and nine staff members, have tested positive for the virus since the morning of the shutdown. Counting two positive results from the previous week, 23 members of the organization have tested positive since Sept. 24.
The NFL and the NFL Players Association are investigating the origins of the outbreak and the Titans could face stern disciplinary measures by the league if they’re found to have violated the sport’s coronavirus protocols. Part of that probe involves corroborating reports that some Titans players participated in impermissible workouts last week.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told teams in a memo Monday that any violations of protocols resulting in schedule adjustments or affecting other teams could result in game forfeits or the loss of draft picks.
The NFL would face a schedule dilemma if the Titans- Bills game cannot be played Tuesday. The Titans already had their game last Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Nashville postponed until Oct. 25 in Week 7 of the season; they’re scheduled to play every week for the rest of the regular season. The league’s options at that point might include cancellation, forfeit or adding a Week 18 to the season, as the NFL has begun to mull as a possible contingency.