Symptomatic or asymptomatic? That is the question.
What we do know is that Baltimore Ravens running backs J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram tested positive on Monday and were ruled out for the originally-scheduled Thanksgiving night game. On Tuesday, the NFL decided to move Thursday’s game to Sunday because the Ravens are still in the contact-tracing phase of league protocol.
What we don’t know is whether Dobbins or Ingram were asymptomatic. The Ravens organization has been tight-lipped on those details, as they should be.
Why do symptomatic versus asymptomatic make a difference, you ask? Per NFL protocol, if a player tests positive but has no symptoms and tests negative twice within a five-day span, he could return to the team.
If symptomatic, the player must wait 10 days after signs of illness first appeared and 72 hours until after signs ended (see Vance McDonald). In both cases, the player’s return needs to be approved by the team’s head physician after consulting with the NFL chief medical officer.
Bottom line: If Dobbins or Ingram did not have symptoms and test negative twice before Saturday, there’s a possibility for one or both to be in the lineup on Sunday.
In Week 8, Dobbins unleashed on the Steelers a 7.5 yards per carry average for 113 yards. He was the first (and only) player to put up a 100-yard game on the Black and Gold. So, Pittsburgh and its fans would rather see their timeline for return extended.
The Ravens revealed on Wednesday that defensive end Calais Campbell and offensive linemen Patrick Mekari and Matt Skura have also tested positive. Additionally, defensive tackle Brandon Williams and outside linebacker Pernell McPhee were placed on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list.
As for Dobbins and Ingram, timing will be tight, especially with travel involved. Obviously, Baltimore would prefer to face Pittsburgh with a healthy running back stable, and I’d be shocked if the Ravens don’t do everything in their power to make that happen.
