Ryan Glasspiegel
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We’re in truly unchartered territory with the NFL and these Covid-19 tests. After going a couple days with no new positives and looking like their games would happen this week, both the Titans and Patriots have had a new team employee test positive. Adam Schefter reports:
Patriots had one new positive test this morning, source tells ESPN. Their building is now shut down while further testing is conducted.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2020
And now the Titans have shut down their facility again after a coach tested positive.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2020
Titans: “This morning we learned that a staff member tested positive. We have temporarily closed our facility and are in communication with the league on the next steps.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2020
Previously, Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore had tested positive for the Patriots.
The Patriots are scheduled to play Monday night against the Broncos. The Titans are supposed to play Tuesday night against the Bills. The Titans’ situation also affects when the Bills play in Week 6, as Buffalo was originally supposed to play Thursday against the Chiefs but that game would move to Sunday if their Titans game actually happens Tuesday.
Schefter followed up that the NFL still “plans” to hold their Patriots-Broncos game on Monday.
Patriots reporter Tom Currani isn’t so sure Patriots players would play this week, even if that’s the NFL’s mandate:
The sense I’ve gotten as the week has gone on is the Patriots aren’t going to let the NFL unilaterally decide whether or not this game is played. If players and coaches aren’t comfortable, they won’t play.
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) October 11, 2020
Broncos reporter Mike Klis doesn’t make it sound like Denver players would be keen on playing New England Monday either:
Reports of Patriots having another positive test puts Monday game vs Broncos under further review. What must be considered: Broncos well being. Can’t imagine Broncos players or their families wanting game against team not cleared from virus. #9news
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) October 11, 2020
Broncos had plans of flying to Boston early afternoon today. Just my opinion, but I don’t think they board. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) October 11, 2020
As we’ve been banging the drum all week, it’s time for the NFL to add Week 18 as a buffer space into the schedule. Adding Week 18 could nullify the bye between conference championship games and the Super Bowl without changing the planned date for the latter. It makes way more sense than adapting all these teams’ schedules on the fly.
Keep beating that drum, it’s the only thing that makes sense at the point!
OMG this is all so lame. Death rates have plummeted, hospital visits have plummeted, people are basically getting the common cold, especially healthy athletes. The coronabros won’t let this go until (if) Biden is elected.
Same ol same ol gotta keep that fear train rolling facts don’t seem to matter anymore