COVID- 19 postpones Ravens at Steelers
The Thanksgiving night game between the Ravens and Steelers in Pittsburgh has been switched to Sunday afternoon because of coronavirus issues with Baltimore.
The NFL announced the move Wednesday, placing the game at 12: 15 p. m. ( Chicago time) on NBC. Previously, it was scheduled for NBC’s prime- time telecast on Thanksgiving Day.
Baltimore placed outside linebacker Pernell McPhee on the reserve/ COVID- 19, joining running backs Mark Ingram and J. K. Dobbins and defensive tackle Brandon Williams.
The game — assuming it is played on Sunday — means the Ravens will trade one short week for another. They are scheduled to play Dallas next Thursday.
This isn’t the first time the Steelers have been forced to adjust their schedule because of COVID- 19 issues with opponents. Their trip to Nashville on Oct. 4 to play the Titans turned into an unexpected bye week when Tennessee was hit with an outbreak.
The tweak forced the Steelers to play 13 straight weeks to end the regular season.
Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith- Schuster didn’t like the latest development.
“First the NFL takes away our bye week because another team can’t get their Covid situation together, now they take away our Thanksgiving primetime game for the same reason. Smh,” he posted on social media.
More teams face COVID issues
The Browns were practicing in shifts and holding players out as a precaution while dealing with a new round of COVID- 19 issues.
The team temporarily closed its headquarters in Berea, Ohio, after another yet- to- be identified player tested positive. The Browns re conducting contact tracing to see if others players were exposed to the infected player.
In the meantime, coach Kevin Stefanksi said practice ahead of Sunday’s game at Jacksonville will be spaced out to reduce the risk of possible spread. Rain has forced the workout to be held in the team’s indoor field house, which is also being used as a weight room due to COVID protocols.
The Browns ( 7- 3) already have four players, including star defensive end Myles Garrett, on the reserve/ COVID list. Garrett missed Sunday’s win over Philadelphia and he’ll also sit out this week’s game against the Jaguars ( 1- 9).
† Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said defensive coordinator Todd Wash, defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich and defensive assistant Dwayne Stukes will not be available against the Browns because of COVID testing and contact tracing.
† The Indianapolis Colts placed Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on the Reserve/ COVID- 19 list, meaning he will not be able to play Sunday against the Titans.
Darnold may return on Sunday
Jets quarterback Sam Darnold was limited in practice Wednesday, but there’s optimism that his right shoulder might be healed in time to play against the Dolphins on Sunday at home.