Buccaneers confident Raiders tie will go ahead
LOS ANGELES: As far as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are concerned, they will be taking the field in Las Vegas today no matter the start time.
Today’s game between the Buccaneers and the hosts Las Vegas Raiders was put in doubt this week after a Covid-19 outbreak among the home team. The Raiders’ entire offensive line was placed on the Reserve/Covid-19 list after offensive lineman Trent Brown was designated on Wednesday as a potential risk.
The Raiders are coming off their bye week and the rest of the starting offensive line has not had any contact with Brown since Monday. It leaves the outside chance that at least some of the starters will be available if they clear testing today following a full fiveday quarantine.
As a precaution, the NFL moved the game out of prime time, putting the Seattle Seahawks-Arizona Cardinals game under the lights. The Buccaneers (4-2) and the Raiders (3-2) now have a 4:05pm EST start (3.05am Monday Thai time).
“As far as we know, everything is good to go at 4 o’clock Sunday [today],” Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said in advance of the team’s flight.
If the game can’t be played today, the NFL would try to reschedule it later in the season, or even move it back a few days.
“I don’t see it being moved [to another date] right now,” Arians said. “Right now, we’re preparing like we’re playing on Sunday [today].”
Brown set for Brady reunion
Free agent Antonio Brown, who is still under suspension by the NFL, is poised to sign a one-year contract to join the Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the US media reported on Friday.
Brown, 32, was quarterback Brady’s teammate last season in New England for just one game after which Brown was cut due to allegations of sexual assault and trying to intimidate the alleged victim through social media.
He is suspended through week eight but if the deal becomes official Brown could join the Buccaneers for their Nov 8 home game against the New Orleans Saints.