The Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs are the latest teams dealing with a COVID-19 issue in Week 9.
The Texans announced Thursday morning they were shutting down for the day after a player tested positive for COVID-19. Texans players will work remotely.
"We were informed last night that a Texans player has tested positive for COVID-19," the team said in a statement. "In consultation with the NFL and medical experts, we have made the decision to close the facility and conduct all operations virtually today. The player immediately self-isolated and contact tracing has begun. We will follow the NFL's intensive protocols and guidance regarding the team's operations. The health and safety of our team, as well as our entire staff, are of highest priority."
Texans linebacker Jacob Martin is going on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed.
Per the NFL protocol, contact tracing will commence to determine if there are any high-risk contacts with said player.
Sources tell Rapoport that Texans linebackers Whitney Mercilus and Dylan Cole have been identified as close contacts and will be placed on the reserve/COVID list. The team later announced Martin, Mercilus and Cole were placed on the list.
As for the Colts and Chiefs, each team announced a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. Indy and Kansas City will hold practice today, but meetings will be held virtually.
"This morning, we were informed that a member of the Colts staff has tested positive for COVID-19," the team said in a statement. "The team is in the process of contact tracing and has entered the NFL's intensive protocol. The individual has self-quarantined and is under the care of team doctors. The Colts will conduct today's scheduled practice at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, but all meetings will be held virtually and away from the practice facility. We are working closely with the NFL, its medical staff and our team doctors."
Colts DT Sheldon Day, DT Tyquan Lewis, G Quenton Nelson and WR Michael Pittman were considered COVID-19 close contacts, but are not considered high-risk, Rapoport reported. Therefore, the aforementioned players could return to the building Friday.
Sources tell NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero that the Chiefs staff member who tested positive for COVID-19 is their VP of Sports Medicine and Performance Rick Burkholder.
"The Chiefs will hold practice this morning and then out of precaution, the facilities will be closed this afternoon and meetings will be held virtually," the Chiefs said in a statement. "We'll continue to monitor the situation and take any appropriate action necessary to protect the team and those around us."
Houston is set to travel to Jacksonville on Sunday to face the Jaguars while the Colts host the Baltimore Ravens. The Chiefs host the Panthers on Sunday.
