RAVENS RECEIVE NEW SCHEDULE
With reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson under quarantine as part of an outbreak of COVID-19 that has ravaged the Baltimore Ravens, the team has turned its focus from breaking out of a slump to simply getting healthy and back to practice.
The Ravens have more than a dozen players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and their training facility is closed to prevent the spread of the virus.
Jackson tested positive this week and will not play against the unbeaten Steelers next Tuesday night, a game that was originally scheduled for Thanksgiving night and postponed to Sunday before the NFL moved the game again.
The makeup for the makeup will be held at 5 p.m. PT and telecast nationally by NBC.
With that game moving to Tuesday, Baltimore’s game against Dallas, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 3, will instead be played at 2 p.m. PT on Monday, Dec. 7 and telecast by FOX/NFL Net/Amazon.
“We appreciate the efforts of the NFL and Pittsburgh Steelers throughout this process, while we all work to create an environment that keeps the health and safety of everyone involved at the forefront of each decision,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said.
Baltimore (6-4) will be decidedly short-handed against Pittsburgh (10-0).
Jackson, fullback Patrick Ricard, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, and long snapper Morgan Cox were added to the COVID-19 list on Friday.
Backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, starting a chain reaction that has decimated the roster.
Robert Griffin III is slated to start at quarterback for the Ravens on Tuesday against the Steelers. He will be taking snaps from a thirdstring center and handing off to backup running backs Gus Edwards and Justice Hill.
In a sign of just how pervasive COVID-19 has become, shortly after the league announced it was moving the contest to Tuesday, the Steelers placed defensive end Stephon Tuitt, offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins and defensive tackle Isaiah
Buggs on the COVID-19 reserve/injured list.
Texans release Stills
The Texans released veteran receiver Kenny Stills (La Costa Canyon High).
Despite being undermanned this season at the position after the offseason trade of All-Pro Deandre Hopkins to Arizona, Houston decided to cut Stills.
Stills, 28 and in his eighth pro season, was struggling this year for the Texans (4-7). He has 11 catches on 19 targets and one touchdown. He rarely figured in the Deshaun Watson- led offense in 2020.
Notable
The 49ers could be getting a handful key players back. Receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) has been cleared to return for Sunday’s game. Leading rusher Raheem Mostert (ankle), starting cornerback Richard Sherman (calf ) and backup running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (ankle) are set to be activated from injured reserve today and are all questionable to play this week.
• The Raiders will get back at least one of the starting defensive players who missed last week’s game on the COVID-19 list. Linebacker Cory Littleton is set to play on Sunday. Defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell is also a possibility to play.
Cowboys offensive linemen Zack Martin (calf ) and Cam Er ving (knee) will be out several weeks if not longer after getting injured in the Thanksgiving loss to Washington.
It’s been a long way back from a difficult place for Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. After being benched in Week 3, Trubisky will start against the Packers on Sunday night, Bears coach Matt Nagy said.
Falcons back Todd Gurley will miss Sunday’s game against the Raiders because of a knee injury.
Sam Darnold’s shoulder is feeling fine and the Jets quarterback is ready to return. However, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is questionable for Sunday’s game at the Jets because of a sore thumb on his throwing hand.
Panthers coach Matt Rhule said he expects quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (knee) to return to the starting lineup on Sunday. Back
(shoulder) is questionable.