The Tennessee Titans have seen a flurry of positive results from COVID-19 tests, the team announced on Tuesday.
According to the statement from the Titans, “several tests” have come back positive and the team will now work remotely for the foreseeable future. More information will be released on Wednesday.
“Out of the abundance of caution, the organization has decided to work remotely today as we follow NFL protocols related to the Covid-19 virus. Several tests have come back positive and are working through the process of confirming them. We will have more information tomorrow.”
Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky has confirmed that the Titans will close their facilities until Saturday.
In its own statement, the NFL revealed it was three players and five personnel who tested positive for the virus.
NFL statement on the #Vikings and #Titans suspending in-person club activities after eight positive COVID-19 cases with the Titans. pic.twitter.com/Fsj8yr0Xz9
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 29, 2020
While there have been false positives before, it appears the eight positive results have indeed been confirmed, per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
League source confirms that the Titans' eight positive COVID tests today are CONFIRMED positives. The chance of false positives have been ruled out. So this is the first NFL's first team outbreak
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) September 29, 2020
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, all eight cases are asymptomatic so far, meaning those who tested positive aren’t showing any symptoms.
Yes. I was told all eight of the positive Tennessee tests are asymptomatic so far. Which is good. https://t.co/1pbGxyIBAT
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) September 29, 2020
The Titans’ Week 3 opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, have also suspended team activities in the wake of this news as a precaution but haven’t had any positive tests thus far, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.
There were no positive tests with the @Vikings when notified this morning but the NFL is taking the safe approach via protocols with facility shutdown, source added. https://t.co/kVJIDBUfwQ
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) September 29, 2020
On Monday, it was reported that outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen was in the COVID-19 protocol and didn’t travel with the team to Minnesota in Week 3, which was the first sign of trouble.
Not only will the Titans have to work remotely for now while things get figured out, but we also have to wonder if the Week 4 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers will be in jeopardy.
For now, according to a statement from the Steelers, the team has been told by the league to prepare as normal for Sunday until more information is given.
