The Baltimore Ravens have been forced to play without a plethora of their key contributors so far during the 2021 season due to injuries. The team has lost multiple guys on both offense and defense to season-ending injuries, as well as having other players be held out of games due to less serious ailments. However, now another issue has popped up in Baltimore’s locker room with COVID-19.
On Friday, it was reported that outside linebacker Jaylon Ferguson had tested positive for COVID and missed practice. The team then confirmed that Ferguson was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, as were three of his teammates.
We have placed Brandon Williams, Justin Madubuike, Justin Houston and Jaylon Ferguson on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 24, 2021
Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic shed some light as to what it means in terms of a player’s vaccination status and whether they have tested positive or not when they are placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
From NFL's COVID-19 protocol: "Fully vaccinated individuals will not be designated as high-risk close contacts and will not be required to isolate away from the club facility as a result."
If they are on Reserve/COVID-19 list, it's w/positive test or unvaccinated close contact.— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 24, 2021
With Ferguson, Houston, Williams and Madubuike all unavailable for Sunday against Detroit, Baltimore will be relying on Calais Campbell, Justin Ellis, Broderick Washington and potential practice squad call up Kahlil McKenzie on the interior of their defensive line while also needing players such as Tyus Bowser, Odafe Oweh, Pernell McPhee, Daelin Hayes and potential practices squad call up Chris Smith to step up rushing the passer.