COVID-19 outbreak hits Titans
Keeping an eye on the world of sports during the pandemic:
The Titans suspended inperson activities through Friday after the NFL said three players and five personnel tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming the first COVID-19 outbreak of the NFL season in Week 4.
The outbreak threatened to jeopardize the Titans’ game this weekend against the Steelers and posed the first significant in-season test to the league’s coronavirus protocols.
The NFL issued a statement Tuesday that said both the Titans and Vikings suspended in-person activities Tuesday following the Titans’ test results.
The Titans beat the Vikings 31-30 in Minneapolis last weekend.
“Both clubs are working closely with the NFL and the NFLPA, including our infectious disease experts, to evaluate close contacts, perform additional testing and monitor developments,” the league said.
The eight test results were all confirmed positives, making this the first outbreak since the season began Sept 10.
The Vikings released a statement saying they hadn’t received any positive results from their testing after Sunday’s game against the Titans and followed NFL protocol by closing their facility immediately. They will remain closed at least through Wednesday.
The Vikings are scheduled to visit the Texans on Sunday.
The Titans are scheduled to host the Steelers on Sunday in a matchup of two of the league’s seven remaining undefeated teams. With the Titans unable to practice until Saturday at the earliest, when that game might be played is unknown.
ESPN reported that the NFL wants the game to be played as scheduled.
One of the contingency plans to allow for additional testing and contact tracing to occur would be to move the game to Monday night.
Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to teams Tuesday noting the protocols set up by the league and the NFLPA are being followed.