The Ravens–Steelers rematch is no longer a guarantee to follow the customary Lions and Cowboys contests on Thanksgiving. With the Ravens having five coronavirus positives among players and the Steelers at four, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com notes that more cases will result in the NFL moving the game off the Thanksgiving schedule (Twitter link). It is not known how many more positive tests between these franchises would cause the NFL to move the game, but given its time slot and the fact the league has resisted postponing games since Week 7 would make this a game difficult to move. However, this situation may be close to producing a postponement. In addition to five Ravens players having tested positive, Mark Maske of the Washington Post notes five Ravens staffers also have in recent days (Twitter links). Both the Ravens and Steelers encountered virus issues earlier this month but played their respective games as scheduled.
Here is the latest from the AFC North:
- The Ravens are working to determine if these are connected or isolated incidents part of a spread in the Baltimore community, per Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). The team remains on track to leave for Pittsburgh on Wednesday night.
- More COVID-19 issues have hit the Bengals‘ coaching staff. Defensive line coach Nick Eason tested positive for the coronavirus, forcing the team to go through contact tracing, Pelissero notes (on Twitter). This followed multiple games of Cincinnati coaches being sidelined. Cornerbacks coach Steve Jackson, wide receivers coach Bob Bicknell and safeties coach Robert Livingston missed the Bengals’ Week 11 game due to COVID protocols; linebackers coach Al Golden and senior defensive assistant Mark Duffner did not coach during the team’s Week 10 game. Considering the volume here, this is a situation to monitor ahead of Week 12.
- As of now, the Bengals’ Joe Burrow-less quarterback plan consists of Ryan Finley as the starter and recent practice squad cog Brandon Allen backing him up. But the team is scrambling for depth. The Bengals worked out ex-Browns QB Kevin Hogan and Alex McGough on Tuesday. Hogan was last with the Broncos from 2018-19. He failed to make Denver’s 53-man roster in ’19, when the team used Allen as its backup. The Bengals should be expected to sign a quarterback to their practice squad.
Who are the Steelers positives? Four? McDonald just came off the list so not sure this is up to date
Bad reporting. The Schefter tweet clearly says four Ravens staffers. Nothing about any Steelers.
Kaepernick is a free agent and better than almost every nonstarter in the league and certainly better than anyone healthy on the Bengals.
Still not worth $10 million a year.
agreed he wants to much money and if he truly loved football as he claims he’d be willing to take a backup job for backup money .
He’s not playing because he sucks and a sucky kap doesn’t sell merch.
The only Steeler on the list as of this afternoon was LB Jayrone Elliot. Not sure where this four is coming from.
Not to mention the Steelers have ZERO new positives since last week.
Why was it ok for the 49ers to play with their practice squad but not ok for the Ravens to miss 4 of their players?
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
‘Tis East Coast Bias and nothing more!
The NFL should fine the Raiders for Baltimore’s continued issues with COVId. And maybe take a way two rows of seats in the new stadium for the bengals issues. While we’re at it, maybe a player on the raiders should be suspended for Joe Burrows knee
This is nothing other than the NFL wanting to see Pittsburgh go 19-0. Move the game.