League finds that Titans possibly broke protocols
The NFL’s investigation into how Tennessee turned into the league’s f irst COVID- 19 outbreak found “several specific incidents” of the Titans possibly breaking protocols dealing with the pandemic, according to a person with knowledge of the probe.
Also, the headmaster of a private school in Nashville confirmed to the Associated Press on Wednesday that several Titans, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill, practiced on its f ield Sept. 30. That was a day before the NFL first postponed Tennessee’s game with Pittsburgh before rescheduling to Oct. 25.
Commissioner Roger Goodell warned all 32 teams Monday that following league protocols is mandatory and that violations forcing changes in the schedule could lead to forfeiting games.
Tennessee had two more players test positive Wednesday, a person familiar with the the situation said. The Titans placed starting wide receiver Corey Davis on the reserve/ COVID- 19 list hours later, bringing their total to 22 cases with 20 returned since Sept. 29.
The Titans cannot return to their facility before Saturday at the earliest, needing back- to- back days without a positive test result. They haven’t been on a field since beating the Vikings 3130 on Sept. 27. The NFL must decide if they play Buffalo ( 4- 0) as scheduled Sunday, postpone and reschedule or forfeit.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel said any discipline would be something for the NFL to discuss. “I don’t expect anything either way,” Vrabel said.
Patriots’ Gilmore tests positive
The New England Patriots canceled practices for Wednesday and Thursday after cornerback Stephon Gilmore became the third player on the team in f ive days to test positive for the coronavirus.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Gilmore acknowledged his positive test for the virus but said he remains asymptomatic and “will take this as it comes.”
The Patriots put Gilmore on the reserve/ COVID- 19 list on Wednesday.
“I don’t know what to expect, but my spirit is high because of God,” Gilmore wrote. “I’ve followed every protocol, yet it happened to me. Please take this seriously. The ‘ Gilly Lock’ is going to sit down until the medical professionals let me know it’s best to continue normal activity. Your well wishes and prayers mean the world to me and my family.”
For now the Patriots are still scheduled to host the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Etc.
New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold will sit out against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday with his sprained right shoulder. Coach Adam Gase said that veteran Joe Flacco will get the start at home. “We’re just making sure we do the right thing, not only by him, but for the immediate future and long term,” Gase said of Darnold. The former USC star, who was injured last Thursday night against Denver, is week to week. ... Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo returned to practice on a limited basis for the San Francisco 49ers after missing two games with a sprained ankle. ... The Buffalo Bills placed starting cornerback Levi Wallace on injured reserve and signed cornerback Cam Lewis off their practice squad. Wallace was sidelined after hurting his left ankle in the first quarter of a 30- 23 win at the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. ... The Jacksonville Jaguars placed cornerback D. J. Hayden on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury. ... Denver Broncos star pass rusher Von Miller said he told the Associated Press that he’s targeting a Dec. 13 return in Carolina against the Panthers. That would be three months since Miller underwent surgery on Sept. 11 to repair a dislodged tendon in his left foot.