Jackson biggest name infected
Baltimore quarterback and NFL MVP Lamar Jackson on Thursday became the highestprofile player to test positive for the coronavirus as an outbreak of cases spread to more than a dozen players on the Ravens, according to several media outlets.
The cluster of new cases threatened to upend the team’s next game against the Steelers, a matchup the league already had moved to Sunday from Thanksgiving.
The league said on Thursday night that the game still would be played Sunday. But if not, it could create a cascade effect for schedule makers, who already have shifted more than a dozen games this season because of the virus and appear to have little wiggle room in the 16game schedule for further postponements.
The Ravens did not respond to requests for comment Thursday night. On Wednesday, the team announced that it had disciplined a staff member for “conduct surrounding” the cases that had affected the players and team employees. The Ravens did not identify the staff member or elaborate on the nature of the misconduct.
The league would not confirm Thursday night whether Jackson had been added to the Ravens' COVID19 reserve list, which already had 10 players on it as of Wednesday. Four more players were added Thursday, ESPN reported.
Fitzgerald has virus: Larry Fitzgerald and fellow Cardinals receiver Trent Sherfield were placed on the reserve/COVID19 list three days ahead of their game at New England. The 37yearold Fitzgerald is in his 17th NFL season and hasn’t missed a regularseason game since 2014.
Falcons closed again: For the third time this season, the Falcons shut down their facilities after two positive coronavirus tests of staff members. The team will work virtually, and the game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday is still on at this time.The Falcons have had 12 players placed on the reserve/ COVID19 list and one coach test positive.
Briefly: Jets QB Sam Darnold practiced in full and could return Sunday. He has missed two games with a sprained shoulder. ... The Rams placed leading tackler Micah Kiser on injured reserve. The linebacker will be sidelined three weeks, but likely no more, the team said . ... Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa injured his left thumb during practice this week, but head coach Brian Flores does not expect it to keep him out of Sunday at the Jets.