(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Another COVID-19 issue has arisen for the NFL in the New York Jets’ camp.
As the NFL continues to deal with the fallout from the Tennessee Titans’ COVID-19 outbreak, the league may have another case on its hands after New York Jets players and staff were sent home following a presumed positive test.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported that a “presumptive positive player test” had led all players and staff to leave their facility just two days ahead of the Week 5 game with the Arizona Cardinals. The news comes at the end of a turbulent week for the league, with the Titans’ outbreak up to 23 cases as of Thursday.
Tennessee, per ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio, is said to be facing a “historic punishment” after players defied the league’s protocols by holding a secret workout amid the outbreak. The Titans’ facility remains closed, with their game against the Buffalo Bills pushed back from Sunday to Tuesday. Tennesee’s Week 4 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers was moved to Week 7.
Will the NFL’s COVID outbreak keep spreading?
Further rescheduling came after New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore and defensive lineman Bill Murray followed quarterback Cam Newton in testing positive. The Patriots will now face the Denver Broncos on Monday instead of Sunday.
A positive case in the Jets’ camp would put the meeting with the Cardinals in doubt and give the league another potential headache. The Jets are not scheduled to be on a bye week until Week 11 while Arizona’s bye comes in Week 8.
The NFL would obviously rather prevent further re-organizing of the schedule but, following the news from New York, it may be unavoidable.