Titans have multiple positive Covid-19 tests, game vs. Steelers moved to later in 2020 season

Friday AM update: Two more Titans’ players have tested positive for Covid-19, per Adam Schefter. All players get tested each day, so this will be something to track since the incubation period is multiple days.

Thursday AM update: The NFL is moving Titans-Steelers to later in the season after an additional Titans player and one personnel tested positive for Covid-19, according to Tom Pelissero. It will not happen on Monday

Update Wed Sep 30 9:40 a.m.: One more Titans player has tested positive for Covid-19, but the remaining tests for the team have come back negative, per Dan Graziano. Additionally, Graziano is reporting the NFL found “no close contacts with the Titans player whose test came back positive” on Wednesday. That suggests isolation procedures are working.

Update 4:53 p.m.: The Titans have placed long snapper Beau Brinkley, nose tackle DaQuan Jones, and practice squad TE Tommy Hudson on the Covid-19 injured reserve list.

Update 12:49 p.m.: The NFL has informed the Titans, Steelers, Vikings, and Texans their Week 4 games could be rescheduled, per Jason La Canfora. This is a fairly obvious development given how the NFL’s Covid-19 protocol operates, but it’s still worth noting.

Update 11:47 a.m.: Steelers HC Mike Tomlin moved his press conference to later this afternoon as they get more information. In the meantime, the Steelers released a statement that the NFL has them preparing as thought Sunday’s game will happen until informed otherwise.

Update 11:18 a.m.: The Vikings released a statement. They have had no positive Covid-19 tests, but are suspending in-person club activities and closing their team facility while they continue through the NFL’s protocol.

Update 11:09 a.m.: The Vikings are going through testing and will not return to their facility until after all results are in.

Update 11:05 a.m.: The Vikings have had no positive Covid-19 tests since the game, per reports, but the team is leaving their facility while the team goes through the protocol. The team was scheduled to return for practice on Wednesday, but that is in question for now.

Update 10:47 a.m.: All eight tests have been confirmed as real positives, not false positives, per reporter Ben Volin.

UPDATE: ESPN’s Dianna Russini received word from an NFL source that, “We are shutting Tennessee down until Saturday.” That means nobody will be allowed in the building in Nashville. That means no in-person practices. If this proves accurate, it would put Week 4 Titans-Steelers in question to at least be moved to a different date.

The Tennessee Titans have had three players and five non-player personnel test positive for Covid-19, according to NFL Network. The Titans played the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis on Sunday and both teams will suspend in person club activities starting immediately.

The Titans released a statement about the news:

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.

The NFL released a statement as well:

​On Tuesday morning, the Titans COVID testing results returned three new player positives and five new personnel positives. The Titans will suspend in-person club activities starting today. Likewise, the Vikings, who played the Titans on Sunday, will also suspend in-person club activities. Both clubs are working closely with the NFL and the NFLPA, including our infectious disease experts, to evaluate close contacts, perform additional testing and monitor developments. All decisions will be made with health and safety as our primary consideration. We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.

The Titans are scheduled to host the Pittsburgh Steelers this coming Sunday. The Vikings are scheduled to travel to face the Houston Texans this coming Sunday.