More NFL games to feature fans

For the first time this season more than half of this weekend's NFL games will welcome fans, the league said on Saturday as it carries out its 2020 campaign amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nine of the 14 National Football League games in Week 6 will permit fans, while 18 of the 32 teams across the league have been approved to welcome ticket holders, a spokesman confirmed.

The NFL was forced to shuffle its schedule earlier this week due to positive COVID19 tests among players and personnel, and had ramped up its safety protocols earlier this month as the pandemic forced the cancellation of the pre-season and the annual Pro Bowl game.

The coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the United States, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Saturday reporting 8,028,332 total infections and 217,918 deaths.

In an effort to keep its season on track, the NFL recently escalated potential punishments for teams found flouting its coronavirus prevention measures, including the possible forfeiture of games.

But the league has largely left it up to the discretion of teams — and their local and state lawmakers — whether to permit fans on game days.

The Philadelphia Eagles announced on Tuesday that it would allow 7,500 people inside its 70,000-capacity stadium for Sunday's showdown against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, who take on Cleveland Sunday, reopened to fans earlier this month following Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf's easing of restrictions in the state.

The Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys are the other teams that will welcome spectators in Week 6.