More Titans players reportedly test positive for COVID-19
The Tennessee Titans reportedly received news on Thursday that there are two more positive COVID-19 tests within the organization. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Wednesday’s tests revealed one new positive, and confirmed a positive result from a previously inconclusive test.
In total, the team is now up to 23 total cases of COVID-19.
Another #Titans player has tested positive for COVID-19 and an inconclusive test from the previous day is also positive, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 8, 2020
The Titans reportedly received two more positive results on Wednesday, which were from Tuesday’s tests. Prior to that, it looked like the team outbreak might be under control. It had no positives reported on Monday and Tuesday, and there was a chance the team facility could reopen.
The Titans’ facility has been closed since Sept. 29, which is when news of their team’s COVID-19 outbreak first broke. With two more positives Thursday, the facility will remain closed and the ban on in-person activities will continue.
Due to the outbreak, the Titans’ Week 4 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers was rescheduled, and now their Sunday game against the Buffalo Bills is in jeopardy of being moved, or worse. the Titans could be forced to forfeit.
Titans could be punished for breaking protocol
Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson reported on Wednesday that the Titans are likely to be punished for violating the NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 safety protocols. There are no specific details on what rules they broke, but failure to wear masks is believed to be a major part.
While those actions could be responsible for the Titans’ initial outbreak, about 15 members of the Titans reportedly got together for an informal workout after the facility was shut down and the team was banned from in-person activities. That’s a violation of the COVID-19 protocols, and it’s possible that gathering in person during a team-wide outbreak could have furthered the virus’ spread.
The NFL recently threatened the loss of draft picks and possible forfeiture of games if teams are found to not be following the protocols. With the Titans possibly unable to play their game against the Bills on Sunday, we might see just how serious the NFL is about punishment.
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