While we now know the game between the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers has been postponed to either Monday or Tuesday, per a statement from the NFL, there is no concrete date for the Titans to return to their facility.
When speaking to the media on Wednesday, head coach Mike Vrabel stated that the reported target date of Saturday for the team to return to its facility isn’t a set date, and the team could return before or after then. He also noted that the Titans are preparing like they will play on Monday night.
Vrabel: Reports of being in on Saturday may not be true, could be earlier, could be later. Preparing to play as early as Monday. #Titans
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) September 30, 2020
The importance of the Titans getting back into their facility to prepare is obvious. The later Tennessee gets back in, the less practice time it will have ahead of the game against the Steelers, which could create a competitive disadvantage.
Vrabel noted that the Titans are used to playing games without a lot of preparation and won’t do anything differently than normal.
Vrabel: We've worked on short weeks before, and played 3 games in 13 days. We have to take advantage of our practice time.@Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 30, 2020
Vrabel said he won't prepare any differently than he usually would. Said they held meetings with offense, defense, special teams and then have position meetings and a break.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) September 30, 2020
No matter how much practice time Tennessee gets, the team isn’t going to be making any excuses.
Vrabel: We'll be able to practice. We're not using any excuses. We'll be ready and focused for the game.@Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 30, 2020
Vrabel confirmed that he has not tested positive, but declined to name the five personnel who have. He also says nobody is to blame for the outbreak.
Vrabel: I'm not among those who've tested positive. Declined to release names of others who've tested positive outside the players @Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 30, 2020
Vrabel" "Nobody is to blame. We're in a pandemic." @Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 30, 2020
We do know the names of three of the four players who tested positive after the Titans placed them on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday: defensive lineman DaQuan Jones, long snapper Beau Brinkley and practice squad tight end Tommy Hudson.
Vrabel says some of the players who tested positive are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
Mike Vrabel: Some of the players that tested positive are experiencing flu-like symptoms. The players that haven't are in a good mental state. They are strong, resilient. #Titans
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) September 30, 2020
While the entire team isn’t allowed in the building yet, players who are getting treatment are. Those players are wearing masks and face shields.
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel said a limited number of trainers will be able to treat players that are working to get healthy.
"Right now all they can do is treat when we ask them to treat and be in meetings when we ask them to be in meetings."
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) September 30, 2020
The Titans are weighing their options for a temporary replacement for Brinkley, which includes bringing in someone from outside the organization. As of right now, center Ben Jones is listed as Brinkley’s backup on the depth chart.
#Titans' Vrabel: We'll find some options to replace Beau Brinkley, long snapper — will have to bring someone in, go through protocol, etc
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) September 30, 2020
As far as the rest of the players are concerned, Vrabel has not received any pushback from them in regard to playing this week.
Vrabel: No pushback from players. "Checked in mentally. Coach, we will play whenever they want us to play." #Titans
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) September 30, 2020
