NFL Navigating COVID-19 Challenges

As cases of COVID-19 are on the rise nationwide, the National Football League (NFL) has faced numerous obstacles as they try to finish the season. Despite reaching Week 12 without any games being cancelled outright, the challenges are growing to try and reach the Super Bowl.

Ravens outbreak causes Thanksgiving game postponement

The largest outbreak in the NFL this season began on November 23 as the Baltimore Ravens got news of multiple positive tests for COVID-19 within the organization. Over the next 10 days, there was at least one new positive test daily within the organization, including star quarterback, Lamar Jackson. The outbreak stemmed from a staff member who broke protocol inside the team facilities. 

On the eve of Thanksgiving, the NFL announced the Ravens game, scheduled for primetime on NBC Thanksgiving night, would be postponed to Sunday afternoon. Two days later, with positive cases still rising, the game was again pushed back to Tuesday night. On Monday night, the game was delayed for the third time to Wednesday afternoon. 

Despite no other games being scheduled for Wednesday, it is scheduled for the mid-afternoon because NBC holds the rights to air the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony that night. The Ravens will head into the divisional matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers without over 20 players on Wednesday.

This is the second time Pittsburgh has dealt with postponements due to an outbreak amongst their scheduled opponents. Earlier this season, a matchup against the Tennessee Titans was pushed back three weeks while the Titans worked to contain their outbreak.

The Denver Broncos were forced to play without a quarterback due to COVID-19 exposure. On Saturday night, the Broncos received news that three quarterbacks on their team's roster would be ineligible to play in Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints due to high risk exposure.

On Tuesday, November 24, the four quarterbacks in the Broncos organization met to watch film in the team facilities. Two days later, Jeff Driskel, one of the four quarterbacks in attendance, tested positive for COVID-19.

League and team officials would learn that during their indoor meeting on Tuesday, the four quarterbacks had not been wearing masks for the majority of the time. As a result, all of the quarterbacks were placed on the COVID-19 restricted list until they could produce negative test results. 

The NFL elected to not postpone the game on Sunday however, leaving the Broncos with under 24 hours to adjust and create a game plan without a quarterback. The Broncos activated rookie undrafted wide receiver, Kendall Hinton, off the practice squad to fill the role. Hinton had previously played quarterback for two years in college at Wake Forest before changing positions his junior season. 

Hinton finished the game with one completed pass for 13 yards and two interceptions as the Broncos lost by a score of 31-3. The three quarterbacks, including starter, Drew Lock, tested negative following the game. They’ll be eligible to return to team practices this week as the Broncos prepare for their divisional matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night.