AsylumGuido

Multiple Ravens test positive for COVID-19, complicating matters ahead of Thanksgiving night game vs. Steelers

The Baltimore Ravens are on a short week and scheduled to play the undefeated divisional rival Pittsburgh Steelers this Thursday on Thanksgiving, but a recent development has put this holiday matchup in jeopardy. On Monday, the Ravens registered multiple positive tests for COVID-19, and have shut down their facility. The team learned of the positive tests on Sunday night hours after falling to the Tennessee Titans in overtime, 30-24, and have been communicating with the league.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh stated that running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins have tested positive and will not be available for Thursday night's game against the Steelers. Gus Edwards , who rushed for 130 yards against the Steelers in Week 17 of the 2019 season, is slated to start on Thanksgiving Day. Additionally, defensive tackle Brandon Williams is also being placed on the team's reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Ravens released a statement on their current COVID-19 situation.

"Late last night, we were informed that multiple members of the Baltimore Ravens organization tested positive for COVID-19, and those individuals immediately began to self-quarantine. We have started the process of contact tracing, and during this time, the Under Armour Performance Center will be closed, with all team activities conducted virtually. We will continue to work closely with and follow guidance from the NFL, team doctors and our medical trainers."

Harbaugh said that Thursday night's game between the Ravens and Steelers remains on schedule as of now. Depending on how quickly the Ravens can identify close contacts from the infected individuals, the game could indeed be played. As ESPN's Kevin Seifert noted, if the NFL finds any "high-risk" close contacts among the Ravens, the required five-day isolation period would force those players to miss Thursday night's important matchup.

This may be the most difficult obstacle the league has been forced to work around up to this point concerning the ongoing pandemic. As the Titans played the Ravens on Sunday, they will certainly also be forced to undergo additionally testing to see if the virus has spread.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

K Major

I thought I heard Joe Buck say that Pitt hasn't had a bye (not sure if that is accurate) as of yet … I guess you can count Thanksgiving Day as a "mini bye". Meanwhile the Ravens have all kind of Covid issues at the moment.

Credit Coach Tomlin for keeping his players focused and in the right mindset. Still undefeated and on a roll.

IMO they could get the Chiefs in the playoffs.

vpheughan

MORE RAVENS TEST POSITIVE! NFL TO DISCIPLINE SEAN PAYTON AND THE SAINTS AS AN EXAMPLE!!!

RailBoss

Well spoken...

neugey

Wednesday.

If Goodell loved his league half as much as he loved the Ravens, NFL would be the best-run sports league in the world, hands down.

K Major

Now postponed until Wednesday?

Ravens getting preferential treatment perhaps?

AsylumGuido

Nope. It's all based upon positive tests ... or lack thereof. There has to be two days of zero new positives before a team can play. The Ravens had eight straight days with a positive. That's why the league pushed it back repeatedly. None of those players that tested positive or any that are judged to be high risk contacts are eligible to play (unless cleared). On the other hand, the Broncos had just the single positive so the game was not postponed. However, the high risk contacts could not play because there wasn't time for two negative tests.

As explained by the league it has nothing to do with fielding a competitive team and everything to do with preventing spread. They've been very consistent with that thus far. That said, the Ravens are going to be severely depleted with 19 players currently on the list. They have had 22 total, but three were cleared to return yesterday. Willie Snead and Mark Andrews were among those added yesterday and cannot play.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

AsylumGuido

Loved? They're being forced to play missing as many as TEN starters instead of playing the game later in the year.

AsylumGuido

Here's the timeline of the Ravens' Reserve/COVID-19 list additions over the past eight days:

Monday: RB Mark Ingram II, RB J.K. Dobbins, DT Brandon Williams

Tuesday: LB Pernell McPhee

Wednesday: DE Calais Campbell, G/C Patrick Mekari, G/C Matt Skura

Thursday: DE Jihad Ward

Friday: QB Lamar Jackson, FB Patrick Ricard, DT Justin Madubuike, LS Morgan Cox

Saturday: OLB Jaylon Ferguson, G/T D.J. Fluker, G/T Will Holden, DT Broderick Washington, CB Tavon Young, CB Khalil Dorsey

Monday: TE Mark Andrews, CB Terrell Bonds, OLB Matthew Judon, WR Willie Snead IV

Rookie guard Tyre Phillips was moved to the active 53-man roster Monday. He had been designated from IR (shoulder) when he rejoined practice early last week and now he's officially able to play in a game. The Ravens also signed defensive back Davontae Harris to the 53-man roster.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill