RAVENS, STEELERS PUSHED TO TUESDAY
COVID-19 outbreak in Baltimore delays kickoff second time
Let's try this again.
On Friday the NFL re-rescheduled this week's Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers game — to Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST.
The game first was moved from Thursday night to Sunday afternoon, but a COVID-19 outbreak among the Ravens continued into Friday.
One other scheduling domino falls as a result. Next Thursday's Dallas at Baltimore game has been pushed back four days to Monday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. EST, to create a doubleheader that night along with Buffalo at San Francisco (8:15 p.m. EST).
Tweeted Steelers rookie receiver Chase Claypool of Abbotsford, B.C.: “Thursday, no Sunday, OK Tuesday.”
“These decisions were made out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game-day personnel, and in consultation with medical experts,” the league said in a statement.
All this, because the number of Ravens players this week parked on the NFL's COVID-19/reserve list — either for testing positive for the coronavirus, or as highrisk close contacts — hit double digits on Friday.
Starting quarterback Lamar Jackson, the league's reigning MVP, is among the latest to become infected, reports have said since Thursday night.
The NFL's transaction wire reveals that from Monday to Friday of this week, 12 Ravens players were placed on COVID-19/reserve. On Monday it was RB Mark Ingram, RB J.K. Dobbins and NT Brandon William, followed by LB Pernell McPhee on Tuesday. Then it was DT Calais Campbell, C Patrick Mekari and C Matt Skura on Wednesday and DE Jihad Ward on Thursday. Finally, on Friday, QB Jackson, DT Justin Madubuike, RB Patrick Ricard and long snapper Morgan Cox were added to the list.
“We just want to contain this outbreak!” Campbell tweeted Friday. “Speaking from experience … you don't want to catch (COVID-19)! This virus is brutal. I pray no one else has to go thru this. This is bigger than football.”
Those parked on the COVID-19/reserve list as a highrisk close contact of someone infected must sit out for five days minimum, whereas those parked there after a confirmed positive test must sit out for 10 days minimum.
If Jackson indeed has the coronavirus, he could first become eligible to come off COVID-19/ for the team's Monday night game against Dallas. In any event, he'll miss Tuesday's game at Pittsburgh, presuming it's not postponed any further.
Jackson's backup, Robert Griffin III, will start against the Steelers.
Third-string Ravens quarterback Trace McSorley was placed on the COVID-19/reserve list last Friday, reportedly after having contracted the coronavirus. McSorley conceivably could dress against Pittsburgh, after sitting out the minimum 10 days, but would have to satisfy all return-to-play criteria according to health protocols put into place this season jointly by the NFL and NFLPA.
Meanwhile, several non-player members of the Ravens have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the team.
The Baltimore Sun and other media suggested the source of the outbreak on the Ravens, as determined by a joint investigation by the NFL and club, was strength and conditioning coach Steve Saunders, and that he has been disciplined for ignoring protocols including mask wearing.
The Ravens as a club face likely discipline from the league. Earlier this season, the Las Vegas Raiders were hammered — fined $500,000 and stripped of a 2021 sixth-round draft pick, while head coach Jon Gruden was fined $150,000 — for protocol breaches. The Tennessee Titans similarly were fined $350,000.
The NFL's chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, told NFL Network on Thursday that the league believes the Ravens' outbreak is now contained. The team hasn't practised nor gathered at club headquarters since Tuesday.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh released this statement: “We appreciate the efforts of the NFL and Pittsburgh Steelers throughout this process. … We thank everyone for their adaptability and look forward to the challenge of facing a very good football team at Heinz Field on Tuesday night.”
The 10-0 Steelers, meantime, cancelled their Friday practice. Why?
Maybe it's because, hours later, three players showed up on the NFL's transaction wire, having been placed on the COVID-19/ reserve list: starting DE Stephon Tuitt, backup RT Jerald Hawkins and backup NT Isaiah Buggs.
MORE COVID- 19 WOES
The NFL's coronavirus woes this week hardly begin and end with the Ravens and Steelers.
Through Thursday, 12 other teams since Monday have placed at least one player on COVID-19/ reserve. Five put multiple players there: Arizona (three, including future Hall of Fame WR Larry Fitzgerald), Cleveland (three), San Francisco (two), Denver (two) and Cincinnati (two).
The Cincinnati Bengals furthermore announced Friday that two defensive assistant coaches would miss Sunday's game against the New York Giants: Nick Eason (line) and Steve Jackson (secondary/cornerbacks).
Jackson, wide receivers coach Bob Bicknell and secondary/ safeties coach Robert Livingston missed last Sunday's game at Washington for “COVID-19 related reasons,” the team said.
What's more, the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos cancelled Friday practices after reported positive tests among players. That's also why, a day earlier, the Atlanta Falcons and Browns met remotely without practicing.
SHUFFLING QBS
Lots of news on the QB front on Friday.
Chicago's Nick Foles (hip injury) is doubtful for Sunday night's game at Green Bay and, in any event, won't start. Bears head coach Matt Nagy said Mitchell Trubisky will get the call.
Rookie Tua Tagovailoa of Miami jammed the thumb on his left throwing hand into a teammate's helmet in Wednesday's practice, and officially is questionable for Sunday's game at the New York Jets.
Head coach Brian Flores said he would have to watch tape of Friday's practice before deciding whether Tagovailoa can play. If not, Ryan Fitzpatrick gets the nod.
The New York Jets' Sam Darnold has healed enough from his throwing-shoulder injury to start Sunday against the Dolphins, barring any post-practice setbacks Friday, head coach Adam Gase said. Joe Flacco returns to the bench after starting the last two games for the 0-10 Jets, throwing for five touchdowns against two picks.
Teddy Bridgewater will return Sunday and start for the Carolina Panthers at Minnesota, after sitting out last weekend's win over Detroit with a sprained MCL.
Kyler Murray is a full go for Arizona at New England after practicing on Friday without limitation. He hurt a shoulder last Sunday at Seattle.