Scott Long
9/30/20
After the week 3 games, news came out that three players and several staff members for the Tennessee Titans had tested positive for COVID-19, raising questions as to what would happen for the upcoming week. Early this morning another player tested positive causing the league to have some serious discussions about it.
The league stated that the upcoming week 4 game between the Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers will be postponed from Sunday at 1:00 P.M. to either Monday or Tuesday depending on how the situation shapes up. According to Andrew Marchand of the NY Post, the plan is for a 5:00 game if it’s on Monday or start at either 6:00 or 7:00 if it takes place on Tuesday. The hope is that the additional time will allow the players who have it to test negative and will give the Titans to prepare if they have not tested negative yet, while also making sure it hasn’t spread to other players or coaches on the team.
This is the fear that people had entering this year, as the NFL is playing without using a bubble, and is a full contact sport. Up until this point they had done a good job at maintaining their schedule and keeping the cases down as much as possible, thanks in part due to their focus on making sure all coaches wear masks. Those who haven’t worn masks have been fined, and after the news of the postponement today the league has stated it’s considering more serious penalties for coaches who don’t wear a mask, including suspensions, or even the loss of a draft pick.
Luckily, the cases seem to have been kept somewhat in check as there is no news of any players on the Minnesota Vikings testing positives, even thought they were the team that played against the Titans this past Sunday. Thus, with no positive tests for the Vikings, the remain on track to play their game against the Houston Texans on schedule this week.
All eyes will remain on the COVID-19 situation for the rest of the season, and it’ll be worth monitoring who, if anyone tests positive after each week. A situation like this raise the question of if the NFL will seek a bubble situation like other pro sports have done come the playoffs, in order to lower the chances if catching and spreading the virus. The answer to this question remains to be seen and will be worth monitoring as the season progresses.