NFL warns again on protocols
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell warned the league’s 32 teams of penalties including potential forfeits of games for violations of COVID-19 protocols that force changes in the regular-season schedule. In a memo sent to the teams after a conference call involving NFL and club executives, Goodell reiterated the need to adhere fully to all of the league’s health and safety guidelines. “Protocol violations that result in virus spread requiring adjustments to the schedule or otherwise impacting other teams will result in additional financial and competitive discipline, including the adjustment or loss of draft choices or even the forfeit of a game,” Goodell wrote in the memo obtained by The Associated Press. “Simply put, compliance is mandatory. Now is the time to recommit ourselves to our protocols and best practices for the duration of the season.”
The NFL was forced to reschedule Sunday’s game between the Steelers and Titans when the host Titans had the league’s first coronavirus outbreak, which has so far affected 20 organization members, including 10 players.
That game was moved to Week 7, causing adjustments that also impacted the Ravens. The league moved the Ravens’ off week to Week 7, so the Ravens now can play the Steelers on Nov. 1.
The Titans’ outbreak reached 20 cases Sunday with the team’s sixth straight day of at least one positive with 18 returned since Tuesday.
But the Titans had no positives test results back Monday morning.
Titans linebacker Will Compton wrote on Twitter, “No positive tests. Victory Monday.”
The Patriots’ road game against the Chiefs was moved from Sunday to Monday night after Patriots quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19.
The Patriots and Chiefs returned all negative results Monday, allowing their game to be played.
■ Browns Pro Bowl RB Nick Chubb will miss about six weeks after with an MCL injury to his right knee, ESPN reported. ... Chargers RB Austin Ekeler will miss four to six weeks with a hamstring injury, ESPN reported. Ekeler plans to get a second opinion.
College football: Arizona announced that coach Kevin Sumlin tested positive for COVID-19. Sumlin, 56, entered self-isolation and currently not experiencing any symptoms. Arizona said it immediately initiated contact tracing and determined that Sumlin’s positive test wasn’t related to any team activities or close contacts within the program. ... Wisconsin starting QB Jack Coan will see a foot specialist for a recent injury, coach Paul Chryst announced. Chryst wouldn’t confirm the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel;s report Sunday that Coan would undergo surgery and miss at least several weeks. The Badgers open the season Oct. 24 against Illinois.