NFL’s Sills: all proper procedures followed with Ravens’ Bryant
The NFL’s medical director says all procedures followed before the Baltimore Ravens’ game Tuesday night when receiver Dez Bryant tested positive for COVID-19 were done properly and in the same manner as for every case.
Bryant had an inconclusive test result after he was active for the game. He was removed from the field during warmups and tested again. The league and the Ravens then conducted contact tracing, but found no close contacts that would have caused an interruption in playing the game against Dallas, nor the removal of other players or team personnel.
“I made the final determination that there were no high-risk close contacts to the case, so there was no need to remove anyone else,” Dr. Allen Sills said Wednesday.
“I would say it was a very straightforward review simply because there were very few contacts identified by the data. I think that’s a reflection of the fact that this club has been under our intensive protocol and certainly has done a tremendous job with compliance around their facility leading up to the game ...
“So there were simply very few contacts to be reviewed, and with the cooperation of the player involved, we did not identify any other worrisome contacts.
“But the same exact process was followed in this case as we do in every case. We made that determination using the same group of people and the same process, and the fact that we were able to do it fairly quickly is not reflective a lack of thoroughness in the process. It’s just simply the amount of data to be sorted through that allowed us to do that.”
Baltimore, which won the game 34-17, couldn’t replace Bryant on the roster.
“That was a big challenge. The timing of this thing, it’s a crazy kind of a deal,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “But we had already turned in our inactives, and then we were informed. ... We had to wait on that (retest). In the meantime, the league told us we would not be allowed to bring a different player up if he tested positive, but if he tested positive, he wasn’t going to be allowed to play.” JACKSON, RAVENS RUN PAST
COWBOYS TO END 3- GAME SLIDE >> Lamar Jackson ran for 94 yards and a touchdown as the focal point of a relentless rushing attack that amassed 294 yards, and Baltimore emerged from a COVID-19 outbreak to beat Dallas 34-17 on Tuesday night.
Returning from a onegame absence after testing positive for the coronavirus, Jackson carried 13 times and threw for two scores. He was one of 23 Ravens to spend time on the reserve/ COVID-19 list while the virus swept through the organization.
STEELERS, CHIEFS, PACKERS,
SAINTS CLOSE TO DIVISION TITLES >> Despite an 11-1 record, the Pittsburgh Steelers still haven’t clinched a spot in the postseason — yet.
They’ll have a chance to wrap up the AFC North with a win Sunday night at Buffalo and a loss by Cleveland to Baltimore on Monday night. The Steelers will also clinch a playoff spot with a win or a loss by Las Vegas, Miami or Tennessee.
The defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, who clinched a playoff spot last week, can wrap up the AFC West with a win or tie against Miami or a loss or tie by the Raiders against Indianapolis.
The AFC East- leading Bills can reach the postseason with a win over the Steelers and all of the following: losses by the Ravens, Dolphins, Raiders and Patriots.
In the NFC, the Green Bay Packers can clinch the NFC North with a win over Detroit or a loss by Minnesota to Tampa Bay.
The Packers will qualify for the postseason with a win and any of the following: a loss by either the Cardinals or Rams or a Seahawks win over the 0-12 New York Jets.
And the surging New Orleans Saints, who have won nine in a row, can clinch the NFC South title with a win over Philadelphia or a loss by the Buccaneers to the Vikings.
SEAHAWKS RB PENNY PRACTICES >> Seattle running back Rashaad Penny was back on the practice field, one year and one day after tearing the ACL in his left knee.
Penny has been on the physically unable to perform list since the start of training camp.
Penny was a 2018 firstround pick by the Seahawks out of San Diego State. He has rushed for 789 yards and five touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 158 yards and one score in 24 NFL games.
Penny rushed for 370 yards last season prior to the major injury suffered against the Los Angeles Rams.