Tennessee Titans forced to shut down due to COVID-19 outbreak

Earlier today, the Tennessee Titans were forced to suspend in-person club activates starting today after three new players and five new personnel positives were found on the Titans’ roster and staff.

With the Minnesota Vikings having just played the Titans on Sunday, out of an abundance of caution and per the league regulations, they too will be shutting down for the time being.

“​On Tuesday morning, the Titans COVID testing results returned three new player positives and five new personnel positives.” the NFL-NFLPA released in a joint statement earlier today. “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.”

Later, the Vikings indicated that their team has returned zero positive test results, only the Titans currently have active cases between the two clubs.

The Titans’ outbreak comes after the NFL has already played through 48 games without serious incident thus far this season. Now, it has a situation on its hands that will need to get under control swiftly, or there could be a chain reaction that wouldn’t bode well for the Titans, Vikings nor the NFL.

According to a report from ProFootballTalk, the Titans will be suspending activity until Saturday, coincidentally just one day prior to their home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“We have been in contact with the NFL regarding the positive COVID-19 tests with the Titans,” the Steelers said an in a statement earlier today. “We have been informed to proceed with our game preparations for Sunday’s game until we are informed otherwise. We will provide more information when available.”

As of right now, the two teams will be facing off until further information is gathered.

For the Jaguars, they currently roster one player on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list, running back Ryquell Armstead. There has been no clarification on his status, only that Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said earlier this year he would be out for “a while.”

A new world, these are part of the consequences that could occur, and the NFL and NFLPA have planned for situations such as this to occur, however, with the uncertain nature of the virus and the pandemic in general, it’s tough to plan for everything.

Steelers defensive lineman Cam Hayward replied to a tweet made in speculation that the teams could end up playing the game on Tuesday if need be, but Hayward argued that it would give the players a disadvantage the following week.

For now, the Titans and Vikings will continue to play it safe, and hope that no future outbreaks are to occur, a situation that will be worth monitoring as the week moves forward.