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The NFL hasn’t budged from the current schedule that has the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday. But as more Ravens players and staff members test positive for COVID-19, it puts pressure on the league to find a backup plan to the backup plan.
The NFL hasn’t adjusted the schedule often this season, having teams play days after suffering a COVID-19 outbreak. One such reason is the roster flexibility afforded by a 16-man practice squad, allowing teams to bring up practice squad players to play in the event those on the 53-man roster are put on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
One such player, Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell, tested positive for COVID-19 this week. He’s among the nine players currently on the Reserve/COVID-19 list with more expected to come in the following days. Campbell seemingly took offense to the idea the game should still be played at this point, replying to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero’s note on the subject.
We just want to contain this outbreak! Speaking from experience…you don’t want to catch covid! This virus is brutal! I pray no one else has to go thru this. This is bigger than football
— Calais Campbell (@CalaisCampbell) November 27, 2020
The NFL has adjusted their COVID-19 rules this season, putting all 32 teams in the intensive protocol last week. Among the changes are mandates for players and staff members to wear N95 masks at specific locations, limitations to who can be at club facilities, and a reduction in who can travel with the team.
But even with the more intensive protocols, the Ravens have seen players and/or staff members test positive every day this week, forcing the league to postpone Thursday night’s game to Sunday afternoon. With there seemingly being no slow down in positive tests over the week, Sunday’s scheduled game is certainly no lock.
Everyone’s top priority should be the health and safety of the players and staff members. If there’s a chance someone is still sick or unknowingly has COVID-19 and could spread it to others, the NFL should have a solution with everyone’s health in mind. If a professional football player — arguably some of the most physically fit people in the world — is saying the “virus is brutal” from personal experience, that’s an indication of just how serious it is.
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