UPDATE: The Indianapolis Colts released a statement saying that after re-testing the results came back negative.
"Earlier this morning, we were informed that four individuals within the organization tested positive for COVID-19. The four positive samples were re-tested and have been confirmed negative. After consultation with the NFL and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Allen Sills, the team will open the practice facility this afternoon under the league’s intensive protocol and will continue preparation for Sunday’s game against Cincinnati."
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The Indianapolis Colts shut down their facility Friday morning in the wake of several positive COVID-19 tests.
The team is working remotely as they go through the process of confirming initial test results. Indy is scheduled to host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
"This morning, we were informed that several individuals within our organization have tested posted for COVID-19," the club said in a statement. "The team is currently in the process of confirming those tests. In the meantime, the practice facility will be closed, and the team will work remotely while following NFL protocols. We are in communication with the NFL and will have more information when available."
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero noted that these are the first COVID-19 issues the Colts have experienced since initial screening in late July.
The outcomes of the retests will likely determine the ability of Sunday's game against the Bengals to go off without a hitch.
Last Friday, the New York Jets closed their facility only to find out they experienced a false positive. Thursday, the Atlanta Falcons held virtual work after a positive test, but the result was to an assistant coach, not a player, and the team could have resumed work.
Pelissero reported the Falcons had zero new positive tests from Thursday's round of testing and have been cleared to open up their facility Friday. The Falcons later announced they have resumed in-person work under the NFL's supplemental intensive protocols. Atlanta's game Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings remains on as scheduled.
Clubs are closing at the first sign of a COVID-19 positive out of an abundance of caution -- a phrase we will continue to hear with increasing emphasis in the coming weeks and months.
The Colts are the latest team to go through the process of gathering the information to determine their next move. Will it be like the Jets, and their game will go on without delay? Will the game need to be pushed a day or two to give the club time to work through the process? Or will we have our next Titans situation and the team will have to shut down for a spell after a rash of positive tests?
Closing the facility is the first step in the NFL and NFLPA protocol to ensure teams stay as healthy as possible, even if a day or two of practice and meetings is interrupted.