Ravens’ defense hit hard by positive tests
The Ravens added seven players to the Reserve/COVID-19 list, including starting linebackers Matthew Judon, Patrick Queen and L.J. Fort.
Linebackers Malik Harrison and Tyus Bowser also were put on the list Tuesday, along with starting safety DeShon Elliott and defensive back Terrell Bonds.
The Ravens placed cornerback Marlon Humphrey on the COVID-19 list Monday.
Humphrey has been ruled out for Sunday’s game at Indianapolis. The Ravens have not yet addressed the status of the other seven players.
The Ravens are operating under intense protocol this week. Coach John Harbaugh said that all team meetings will be held virtually leading up to Sunday’s game.
New COVID protocols
The NFL made more updates to its COVID-19 protocols, including an expansion of the sideline area to give teams more space to distance. The sideline area will stretch from one 20-yard line to the other.
Also, mask usage is now mandatory before and after games and at halftime. The league also is strongly encouraging players to wear masks whenever they come off the field and teams in intensive protocol are prohibited from holding in-person coaching and personnel meetings.
“We believe that the mask use whether it’s in the locker room, on the sideline, it just reduces your chance of becoming a high-risk contact should someone turn positive,” NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said on a conference call.
More COVID news
The Packers, who put running back AJ Dillon on the reserve list Monday, added running back Jamaal Williams and linebacker Kamal Martin to the list as high-risk, close contacts.
Williams had rushed for 152 yards and caught 10 passes over the last two games while Aaron Jones (calf) was sidelined. Dillon, a rookie second-round pick from Boston College, had five carries for 21 yards and a 16-yard reception Sunday in a 28-22 loss to the visiting Vikings.
Jones’ status remains uncertain for the game Thursday against the 49ers. The team’s only other running backs are Tyler Ervin and Dexter Williams.
† The Lions added linebacker Jarrad Davis to the reserve/COVID-19 list. Davis has played in every game this season and has nine tackles and six assists this season.
† The Broncos said general manager John Elway and team president Joe Ellis tested positive. The team said contract tracing measures show that no players or coaches came into close contact with either Elway or Ellis recently.
† The Cowboys put quarterback Andy Dalton on the reserve list, keeping him out a second consecutive game after he was sidelined by a concussion.