TITANS MAY HAVE BROKEN PROTOCOL
The NFL’s investigation into how Tennessee turned into the league’s f irst COVID-19 outbreak found “several specific incidents” of the Titans possibly breaking protocols dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, according to a person with knowledge of the probe.
Also, the headmaster of a private school in Nashville confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday that several Titans, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill, practiced on its field Sept. 30. That was a day before the NFL first postponed Tennessee’s game with Pittsburgh before rescheduling to Oct. 25.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell warned all 32 teams Monday that following league protocols is mandatory and that violations forcing changes in the schedule could lead to forfeiting games.
Tennessee had two more players test positive Wednesday, a person familiar with the the situation said. The Titans placed starting wide receiver Corey Davis on the reserve/ COVID-19 list hours later, bringing their total to 22 cases with 20 returned since Sept. 29.
The Titans cannot return to their facility before Saturday at the earliest, needing back-to-back days without a positive test result.
They haven’t been on a field since beating the Vikings 31-30 on Sept. 27. The NFL has to decide if they play Buffalo (4-0) as scheduled Sunday, postpone and reschedule or forfeit.
The Patriots are dealing with their own COVID-19 cases. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, announced on social media he had tested positive and is asymptomatic. Quarterback Cam Newton was placed on the reserve/ COVID-19 list Oct. 3, with a defensive tackle from the practice squad added Tuesday
New England canceled practices Wednesday and today. The Patriots are scheduled to host Denver on Sunday.
Browns turn to Hunt
Losing a star running back of Nick Chubb’s caliber for several games would devastate most teams — maybe not the Cleveland Browns.
They’ve got the perfect backup.
Kareem Hunt line.
With Chubb expected to miss at least three weeks — and probably more — with a sprained right knee ligament sustained in Sunday’s win over the Dallas Cowboys, Hunt, a former NFL rushing champion with Kansas City whose career veered way out of bounds after some serious off-field trouble, will be Cleveland’s primary back going forward.
He’s eager to carry the load.
“I am willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win,” Hunt said Wednesday. “If that means getting more carries, then I am fine with that, too. We have some big shoes to fill.”
Chargers-Saints not moving
The Chargers’ game Monday night is expected to remain in New Orleans after there had been consideration about moving it to Indianapolis because of the threat of Hurricane Delta.
Officials from the Saints and the NFL spent the day monitoring the approach of the hurricane, which is forecast to make landfall in the Gulf Coast region Friday. The forecast for Hurricane Delta shifted west from earlier projections Wednesday afternoon.
Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, had been selected as a contingency site. In 2008, the Saints evacuated to Indianapolis ahead of their opener because of a storm.
The Chargers (1-3) have lost three in a row and would be playing in New Orleans for only the third time since 1997. The Saints (2-2) are coming off a 35-29 victory in Detroit.
Notable
is next in
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo returned to practice on a limited basis for the 49ers after missing two games with a sprained ankle.
Joe Flacco .will start in place of Sam Darnold (shoulder) against the Cardinals on Sunday.
QB Drew Lock (shoulder) returned to practice, yet it was Brett Rypien who took the snaps with the starters.
• Broncos’ Von Miller said he’s targeting a Dec. 13 return in Carolina.