NFL GAMES IN PERIL DUE TO COVID CHAOS
Coronavirus chaos keeps conking the NFL on the coconut.
After several more players tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday morning, at least two Week 5 games this Sunday are in peril.
This after another New England Patriots player tested positive — reportedly superstar cornerback Stephon Gilmore — plus two more Tennessee Titans players.
The Titans kept their team facility closed tight for the ninth straight day. It now seems like a long shot that they'll be able to prepare for their scheduled home game on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, after their game slated for this past Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers was postponed until Week 7.
More than 20 Titans players or team personnel have now tested positive for COVID-19.
The league and NFL Players Association jointly warned all clubs on Tuesday that punishments for breaking safety protocols designed to minimize the threat of COVID-19 outbreaks now may be as severe as forfeiting a game.
Some are calling for the Titans to be so punished this week, after Paul Kuharsky reported that a group of Titans players worked out together last Wednesday at Montgomery Bell Academy, in breach of NFL/NFLPA protocols for teams battling a coronavirus outbreak.
Kuharsky reported that starting QB Ryan Tannehill was among the players.
Numerous reports said the
NFL is investigating the alleged breach.
ProFootballTalk.com reported there's “buzz in league circles of possible `historic' punishment for the Titans.”
Meantime, Gilmore reportedly was one of about 20 players the Patriots believe might have come in close contact last week with starting quarterback Cam Newton, who has COVID-19 and is out indefinitely.
Gilmore tweeted that he's asymptomatic. A day earlier, Patriots practice squad defensive lineman Bill Murray was placed on the league's COVID-19/ reserve list.
The Patriots cancelled their Wednesday practice, and have already scrubbed their planned Thursday practice. It would appear that New England's home game Sunday against the Denver Broncos is in jeopardy.
No other Kansas City Chiefs players have tested positive since practice squad QB Jordan Ta'amu did so on Saturday. The Chiefs beat the Patriots on Monday night. Images circulating on social media Wednesday showed superstar Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes in tight embrace with Gilmore. Uh oh.
Medical experts say the coronavirus requires anywhere from four to 14 days to incubate, but the median time typically is four or five days.
In Las Vegas, Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst tested positive on Tuesday and was placed on COVID-19/reserve.
Given these developments, might the league consider pausing the season, or mandating some kind of regional bubbles, along the lines of the NHL's Toronto and Edmonton playoff hubs?
“Every option is on the table,” Dr. Allen Sills, the league's chief medical officer, told NFL Network. “We've never taken any option off the table, which includes some type of pause, or reset, or any other type of alternative arrangements.”
Sills said the league is focusing on what it can learn from current situations, “and trying to make sure that (coronavirus) transmission isn't ongoing in each of those situations. … We just have to continue to close any loopholes.”
HASKINS BENCHED
The Washington Football
Team has benched quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Kyle Allen will start Sunday at home against the Los Angeles Rams.
Haskins has struggled since becoming the starter in the middle of last season.
“I think our best chance to win is putting the ball in somebody else's hands,” head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday. “Dwayne needs some more work. He just hasn't had enough work yet.”
Rivera said Alex Smith will back up Allen, meaning Haskins won't even dress for games.