The Baltimore Ravens’ COVID-19 saga continues this week and on quite a different note than previous weeks.
The Ravens have been steadily returning players from the Reserve/COVID-19 list but saw wide receiver Dez Bryant pulled from the field shortly before kickoff Tuesday against the Dallas Cowboys. While there are plenty of questions around Bryant’s positive test before the game and the NFL’s contact tracing, the whole thing took a new twist in the days that followed.
On Thursday, Bryant said he had tested negative for COVID-19 on back-to-back tests. Yet, the Ravens put Bryant on the Reserve/COVID-19 list shortly after the veteran wide receiver tweeted that out. Then Friday, Bryant once again tweeted he had tested negative.
Bryant, rightfully upset about the matter, continued to tweet his dismay at the lack of transparency and communication. This isn’t the first time a Ravens player has questioned the NFL’s COVID-19 procedures and policies this season, seeing Derek Wolfe and Mark Andrews tweet mocking the league’s stance on player health and safety ahead of Week 12’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Right now, Bryant is still on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. But it’s unclear why he’s still on the list if he truly has had repeated negative tests. Since the NFL and Baltimore typically don’t discuss an individual player’s status regarding COVID-19, I wouldn’t expect an answer soon.
