Report: NFL Informs Pittsburgh Steelers That Game Against Tennessee May Be Rescheduled After Titans Players, Personnel Test Positive For Coronavirus
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- At least three new players, and five new personnel of the Tennessee Titans have tested positive for COVID-19 according to reports.
The Steelers are scheduled to play the Titans this Sunday in Tennessee.
CBS Sports' Jason LaConfora says the NFL has alerted the Steelers that their game may be rescheduled.
The NFL has alerted the Vikings and Titans and their opponents for Week 4 that their games may be rescheduled.
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) September 29, 2020
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the NFL is preparing to play the game as scheduled on Sunday, but that the game could be moved to Monday.
NFL wants to and intends to play the Titans-Steelers game as scheduled Sunday; one of the contingency plans to allow for additional testing and contact tracing to occur would be to move the game to Monday night, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 29, 2020
The Titans released a statement saying:
"Out of the abundance of caution, the organization has decided to work remotely today as we follow NFL protocols related to the Covid-19 virus. "Several tests have come back positive and are working through the process of confirming them. We will have more information tomorrow."
The team placed defensive lineman DaQuan Jones, long snapper Beau Brinkley and TE Tommy Hudson on the Reserve/COVID-19 List.
Titans place three players on Reserve/COVID-19 List + add two to Practice Squad
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) September 29, 2020
Roster Moves ???? » https://t.co/cEN9NvMAEZ
The Steelers released a statement saying:
"We have been in contact with the NFL regarding the positive COVID-19 tests with the Tennessee Titans. We have been informed to proceed with our game preparations for Sunday's game until we are informed."
During his weekly Monday press conference, coach Mike Tomlin said the team is preparing to play on Sunday.
"We don't have a lot of definitive answers about long term, what the prognosis looks like," Tomlin said.
ESPN reports that the Titans' facility will be shut down until at least Saturday.
The Titans will not be allowed in their building until Saturday. Everything will be done remotely.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) September 29, 2020
This is going to be a big challenge for the organization and the league.
The NFL released a statement saying:
On Tuesday morning, the Titans COVID testing results returned three new player positives and five new personnel positives. The Titans will suspend in-person club activities starting today. Likewise, the Vikings, who played the Titans on Sunday, will also suspend in-person club activities. Both clubs are working closely with the NFL and the NFLPA, including our infectious disease experts, to evaluate close contacts, perform additional testing and monitor developments. All decisions will be made with health and safety as our primary consideration. We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.