TAMPA, Fla. — Bucs coach Bruce Arians says his team is disappointed they won't be playing the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football.
The game has been moved to 4:05 p.m. ET on Fox due to Raiders tackle Trent Brown testing positive for COVID-19 and the rest of the starting offensive line being placed on the reserve/COVID list.
As for the safety of his players, Arians said Bucs players and coaches will refrain from shaking hands before or after the game with the Raiders.
"As far as we know everything is good to go Sunday," Arians said. "Yeah, we're disappointed. I think the guys love playing on Sunday night. So it's a disappointment that way. But hey, we've got to play the game. I don't see it being moved right now. We'll know more in the morning but right now it's just, hey, we're preparing like we're playing on Sunday."
As for whether the Bucs players and coaches feel safe about playing a Raiders team that has had an outbreak of the virus?
"I'm as confident as I can be," Arians said. "I haven't decided yet — it has nothing to do with sportsmanship — whether we will shake hands or embrace anyone after the game, just to be cautious. You know, playing the game is one thing but you know, the mingling and all that stuff after the ballgame, I have to talk to our guys but I don't think we can do that just to be safe."
The Raiders entire starting offensive line is not practicing this week and still waiting to be cleared to play.
Losing an entire position group is something Arians said teams prepare for in 2020.
"It's a big, huge challenge," Arians said. "I think that's one of the things, you depend on the depth. We have extra offensive lineman this year for that reason and in every position. You have a 16-man practice squad for that reason and you get a game plan for what they can do and go forward."
What if the NFL determines the game in Las Vegas won't be played until Monday or Tuesday?
"We'll just go back to practicing and take the extra days to work situational football," Arians said. "We've got a plan in case it goes to Monday or Tuesday or whatever the case but I don't see it moving right now."
