Outbreak plays havoc with Titans

Game vs. Steelers pushed to Monday or Tuesday

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans have at least one more day to see if the team’s coronavirus outbreak is under control before their game with the Steelers is rescheduled for Monday or Tuesday.

Only one new positive test result came back Wednesday, a day after the Titans had three players and five team personnel test positive for COVID-19. More daily test results are upcoming.

The league announced the postponement from Sunday afternoon on Wednesday.

The Titans hope to be allowed back inside their facility Saturday, though coach Mike Vrabel said that could happen before then or later. The Titans now are preparing to play as early as Monday. Vrabel said he’s confident the NFL will allow them some time to practice before the game.

“We’ve worked on short weeks before,” Vrabel said. “We’ve played three games in 13 days. I’m sure the other teams that we played before had a few extra days of practice. And so it’ll be important that the time that we do get to spend practicing, we take advantage of it.”

Outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen was the first to test positive, with the Titans learning Saturday of his results. He didn’t make the trip to Minneapolis, where the Titans beat the Vikings 31-30. On Tuesday, the Titans placed three players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including key players defensive captain and lineman DaQuan Jones and long snapper Beau Brinkley.

Vrabel isn’t identifying the five personnel who also tested positive, saying only that he wasn’t among that group. The Titans coach said some of those who tested positive are experiencing “flu-like symptoms” and anticipate they will feel better shortly.

The league’s infectious disease experts have been helping the Titans and the Vikings track down anyone in contact with those who tested positive. The Vikings had no positive test results Wednesday and were preparing to reopen their building Thursday with a game Sunday against the Texans in Houston.

The Titans also have evaluated all of the protocols and how they’ve handled meetings and social distancing. Vrabel said he and GM Jon Robinson already had taken steps Monday to severely limit who had access to the team’s headquarters this week before the NFL decision to close the building.

“We want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to make the players safe and that this doesn’t happen again,” Vrabel said.

Now the Titans must prepare virtually until they can hit the practice field for a home game against the Steelers pitting two of the NFL’s seven undefeated teams.

Only a practice and walkthrough are possible for the Titans.

Vrabel said they held a team meeting virtually Wednesday and he showed the Titans video of the Steelers. Players had meetings with their position coaches — all through video conference calls.