The hope for a reopened facility in Tennessee is on hold after additional positive tests.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday morning that two Titans players tested positive for COVID-19, per a source informed of the situation. The Titans later announced that wide receiver Corey Davis had been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
A second positive test was considered inconclusive, Pelissero reported, which is why Davis was the only Titans player placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The news comes after two consecutive days of all negative tests out of Nashville, with the Titans hoping to return to the team facility. The latest positives throw another monkey wrench of uncertainty into the plans.
The Titans have dealt with a rash of positive COVID-19 tests since their Week 3 game in Minnesota, with multiple players and team personnel contracting the virus. Twenty cases have been reported among players and staff, per Pelissero.
The outbreak led to the postponement of the Titans' game last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which has been rescheduled to Week 7.
The hope had been that a string of days sans positive results could allow Tennessee to resume its schedule. Pelissero reported that Sunday's game between the Bills and Titans is currently on the schedule, but the league is in the process of evaluating.
Bills coach Sean McDermott told reporters Wednesday that his team has reported zero positive COVID-19 tests at this time, and they are monitoring the situation in Tennessee.
"We have to be responsible and gather info so we can put the health and well being of the people in our building at the top of our list," McDermott said.
"We're fighting an uphill battle," he added. "The league took the right steps to increase the protocols. It's necessary because it's only going to get more difficult. No one is perfect. We're trying to do the best we can."
Last week, the NFL and NFLPA sent representatives to the Titans facility to ascertain whether there was any break in protocol that lead to the outbreak in Tennessee.
NFL CMO Dr. Allen Sills told NFL Network's Judy Battista that they've conducted interviews and reviewed video. It's not just about compliance, but what the league can learn about protocols, testing, etc., he added.
Pelissero reported the league and union also are looking into if Titans players have been working out together offsite while the team facility has been closed.
A local Titans beat writer reported Wednesday that a number of Titans players gathered last week at a Nashville-area school to conduct a workout the day after the team facility was shut down.
In response to the report, Titans offensive lineman Rodger Saffold wrote on Twitter: "Guys just don't work out for fun this is for their lively hood, their family, their opportunity. Say what you want but I'm standing up for my team always."
On Tuesday, the league announced adjusted protocols with an emphasis on enhanced safety measures, including video monitoring to ensure all policies are being followed at team facilities, and on diligence in wearing personal protective equipment. In a Monday memo, the NFL threatened forfeiture of games if a team is unable to play due to a COVID-19 outbreak caused by failing to follow protocol.
