Tennessee Titans Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

Patriots, Titans Expected To Return To Team Facilities Today

October 10th, 2020 at 8:22am CST by Ben Levine

Some good news out of New England and Tennessee. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that there have been no positive tests for the Patriots nor Titans during their respective latest round of COVID-19 testing. As a result, both teams are planning on opening their facilities today.

The Titans had all negative tests for the second day in a row, meaning they could safely return to the practice field this morning. Over the past few weeks, the team has placed a dozen players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and their game against the Steelers last weekend was postponed indefinitely. This week’s contest against the Bills has been moved to Tuesday night.

The Patriots have also gone two days in a row without a positive test. The team’s expecting to hold a team practice this morning, and they’ll hold a walkthrough on Sunday in anticipation of their game against the Broncos on Monday. That game was moved from Sunday after star cornerback Stephon Gilmore tested positive earlier this week.

It’s been a week since Patriots quarterback Cam Newton tested positive, but it’s uncertain if he’ll see the field against Denver on Monday night. New England head coach Bill Belichick told reporters that he doesn’t expect Newton to practice today, noting that he’s taking the player’s status “day-by day” and “hour-by-hour.” If Newton can’t play, it’s expected that the Patriots will turn to second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham.

No New Positive Tests For Titans, Patriots

October 9th, 2020 at 8:44am CST by Rory Parks

Yesterday’s round of COVID-19 testing yielded no new positive results for either the Patriots or Titans, according to multiple sources, including Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). As such, the Broncos-Patriots contest, which has been moved to Monday night, is on track to be played, as is the Bills-Titans matchup, currently scheduled for Tuesday night.

Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports that contact tracing identified multiple Patriots players as close/high-risk contacts with CB Stephon Gilmore, who tested positive for the coronavirus, and there are multiple Titans players who are close/high-risk contacts with their COVID-infected teammates (Twitter link). That is not at all surprising, of course, but it stands to reason that there may be more positive tests on both clubs in the coming days. That does not mean, however, that their games would necessarily be nixed.

Pelissero goes into more detail on that point in an interview on the NFL Network this morning (video link). He adds that while the Patriots’ and Titans’ facilities remain closed today, both clubs could be back on the practice field tomorrow if all goes well.

As the NFL already postponed Tennessee’s Week 4 game, it obviously does not want to postpone another one and deal with all of the logistical and competitiveness questions that such a decision would create. Presumably, that’s why additional positive tests would not necessarily impact the club’s Tuesday night affair with Buffalo.

There is also good news for the Chiefs in all of this. Although they tangled with Gilmore and the Pats on Monday night, Pelissero says all of KC’s tests have come back negative this week.

NFL To Shift Bills-Titans Game To Tuesday

October 8th, 2020 at 5:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Minutes after the Broncos-Patriots game was moved to Monday, news about the Titans’ Week 5 contest emerged. Their home game against the Bills is being moved from Sunday to Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

However, this game taking place is contingent on future Titans coronavirus tests. The game will be played at 6pm CT Tuesday, so long as no more Titans positive tests occur, Schefter adds.

This change also affects the Chiefs. Their Week 6 game with the Bills — previously scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15 — will be played Sunday, Oct. 18, Schefter reports. However, if the Bills-Titans game ends up being moved to a different week, the Chiefs-Bills contest will be shifted back to its original date.

Only one NFL game has been played on a Tuesday since the 1940s. The Vikings and Eagles played a Tuesday-night game in 2010, after the Metrodome roof collapse. Rumblings of the Patriots-Chiefs Week 4 game being moved to Tuesday emerged, but the NFL decided to move that game back one day. Given the Titans’ far more prevalent issues with COVID-19, their new game time must be considered tentative.

The Titans have seen 23 players and staff members test positive for COVID-19, and their protocol-breaking offsite workouts are now the subject of an NFL investigation. They have continued to see positive tests emerge, and that trend continued through Thursday. The team placed two more players on its reserve/COVID-19 list today.

Unlike the Broncos-Patriots rescheduling, this Titans game being moved would throw the NFL schedule off axis. The league already moved Tennessee’s Week 4 game against the Steelers to Week 7. Should the NFL be forced to take the Titans-Bills matchup off its Week 5 slate, a new date would be difficult. The league has discussed the prospect of a Week 18 makeup window but has not finalized such a change yet. Another Titans positive test in the coming days may force the league to enact that emergency change.

South Notes: Texans, Titans, Bucs, Terrell

October 8th, 2020 at 5:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bill O’Brien‘s final weeks with the Texans were trying, with the team going 0-4 and the former head coach-GM’s near-universally panned DeAndre Hopkins trade benefitting the Cardinals early. But the since-fired HC also was involved in some internal turmoil, with Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reporting O’Brien engaged in heated disputes with J.J. Watt and first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver at a recent practice (Twitter link). O’Brien also verbally sparred with other staffers in his final weeks, per Wilson. That can be expected given the Texans’ start, but the Watt argument may have been a tipping point. The dispute with Watt — arguably the defining player in Texans history — resulted in O’Brien losing the team, in the view of one source (via ESPN.com’s Dianna Russini). The O’Brien-Watt argument took place days before the Texans’ loss to the Steelers.

Here is the latest from the South divisions, moving first to more Titans news:

At least three separate Titans offsite workouts took place last week over a multiday period, veteran NFL reporter Paul Kuharsky notes. A group that included Ryan Tannehill was spotted working out Sept. 30 at Montgomery Bell Academy, an area high school, while Kuharsky reports a different group — comprised of defensive backs — worked out at a park near Belmont University that day. Multiple workouts took place at the park near Belmont, per Kuharsky, who adds that Mike Vrabel said during an Oct. 1 Zoom call he told players not to conduct offsite workouts. The NFL is now investigating the Titans for this, and punishment for the coronavirus-stricken team could be severe. Tight end MyCole Pruitt, one of the Titans’ positive testers, was not at the offsite workouts, per Titaninsider.com’s Terry McCormick (on Twitter).
Prior to the Titans being barred from their headquarters, the NFL showed images of players and staffers walking around the team’s facility without masks, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. Aside from players during workouts, team personnel are required to wear masks inside team facilities. Twenty-three Titans players and staffers have tested positive for COVID-19.
Good news for the Falcons on the virus front. First-round cornerback A.J. Terrell returned to practice this week, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets. Terrell missed Atlanta’s past two games after being placed on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list just before the Falcons’ Week 3 game.
For the sect of non-Chris Godwin fantasy managers who might have missed this (and the narrower swath of LeSean McCoy deep-league GMs), both Buccaneers will miss Thursday night’s game against the Bears. The Bucs declared Godwin and Shady out. This marks Godwin’s third missed game this season; he is battling a hamstring injury. Mike Evans, however, will play, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter). Evans was a game-time decision because of an ankle injury.
Eli Apple is set to miss more time. After successfully rehabbing one hamstring injury, the Panthers cornerback has encountered another. Matt Rhule said the recent acquisition pulled his other hamstring, per Joe Person of The Athletic (on Twitter). Apple missed Carolina’s first three games because of his initial hamstring injury. He has played just six snaps (all on special teams) this season.

Titans Place TE MyCole Pruitt, CB Breon Borders On Reserve/COVID-19 List

October 8th, 2020 at 3:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Titans added two more players to their extensive reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, placing tight end MyCole Pruitt and practice squad cornerback Breon Borders on the list.

On Wednesday, a report indicated the Titans had two more positive coronavirus tests. But the team only added Corey Davis to its COVID list. Another positive was reported today, and two more names now appear on Tennessee’s list.

The list, as of Thursday afternoon: Davis, fellow receiver Adam Humphries, defensive linemen Jeffery Simmons and DaQuan Jones, cornerback Kristian Fulton, tackle Isaiah Wilson, outside linebacker Kamalei Correa, fullback Khari Blasingame, long snapper Beau Brinkley, Pruitt, Borders and fellow practice squad players Tommy Hudson, Cameron Batson and Greg Mabin. Twenty-three members of the Titans organization have now tested positive.

Sunday’s Titans-Bills game in Nashville remains a go, though it seems a postponement announcement could come soon. The Titans already had a game postponed because of this outbreak, with their Steelers matchup now moved to Week 7. Even with the NFL expanding practice squads to 16 in this unique year, the string of Titans positive tests point to another rescheduling. The Titans have not been able to practice in nearly two weeks, with each positive test keeping their facility closed. Titans offsite workouts have also prompted an NFL investigation.

A former fifth-round Vikings pick, Pruitt has been an supporting-cast tight end with the team since 2018. A former Raiders UDFA, Borders has only been with Tennessee for a couple weeks. The Titans added him to their practice squad September 21.

Additionally, the Titans announce Hudson — a practice squad tight end — has drawn a six-game PED suspension.

NFL To Investigate Titans Workouts

October 8th, 2020 at 1:59pm CST by Zachary Links

The NFL and the NFLPA will investigate the Titans’ unauthorized workouts, according to sources who spoke with Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). Recently released pictures showed skill players holding an informal practice together at a local high school, but Pelissero hears that there were other in-person meetings in the midst of the team’s COVID-19 outbreak.

Hypothetically, the violates could lead to the forced forfeiture games. For now, that’s not under consideration, and the Titans’ upcoming game against the Bills is technically scheduled to go on as planned.

Things seemed to be trending upwards for the Titans and their situation. Tuesday marked their second straight day of zero positive tests, but they’ve since received two new positive tests among players. The identities of those players have not been disclosed, though wide receiver Corey Davis was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list yesterday. Since September 24, the Titans (players and personnel) have received 23 positive test results in total.

The NFL’s latest memo indicates that teams could face six-figure fines, lose draft picks, or forfeit games for violating procedures. It remains to be seen how the NFL will handle the Titans, but their punishment is likely to be steep.

New COVID-19 Positive Test For Titans

October 8th, 2020 at 8:23am CST by Zachary Links

On Thursday morning, the Titans received word of yet another positive test, as ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. Meanwhile, a separate “inconclusive” positive from Wednesday been re-tested and found to be a confirmed positive.

The Titans are currently scheduled to play the Bills on Sunday, but that game is very much in flux. This comes one week after the Titans’ outbreak forced the NFL to postpone their game against the Steelers. Since September 24, the Titans (players and personnel) have received 23 positive test results in total.

In addition to the obvious health concerns, the league is also looking at a logistical quagmire. Some have speculated that the regular season will extend to a newly formed Week 18. Others have wondered if the NFL will put the entire season on pause, though that option is not on the table at this time. And, as of this writing, the league is not considering a “bubble” scenario with players confined to team hotels.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs and Raiders received no positive tests in their latest round, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). There was concern in Kansas City after the Chiefs came in close contact with Stephon Gilmore, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year who was found to have had COVID-19 earlier this week. The Raiders also placed a player on the Reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week, but, at this time, the virus does not appear to have spread throughout the locker room.

NFL Not Considering Pausing Season

October 7th, 2020 at 5:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Wednesday morning brought more trouble for the NFL on the coronavirus front, with news of reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore‘s positive test preceding more Titans positives. Sunday’s Titans-Bills game is firmly in doubt, while the Patriots’ Week 5 contest against the Broncos is no longer a certainty to occur.

The NFL has beefed up its COVID-19 protocols, but the league may stop there for the time being. The league is not considering implementing home-market bubbles by putting players in hotels, per Mark Maske of the Washington Post, who adds the NFL pausing its 101st season is also not a serious consideration.

Another Titans postponement would represent a significant schedule glitch, since the league has already moved Tennessee’s bye week — along with Pittsburgh’s — after the outbreak forced a Week 4 schedule change. Wednesday’s news of the additional COVID cases forced the Titans to pause their facility reopening, and the NFL and NFLPA are investigating a protocol-violating offsite workout Tennessee players allegedly conducted.

More Patriots positive tests will further push calls for the NFL to make bigger changes to its coronavirus effort. The Pats did not practice Wednesday, closing their facility. Cam Newton remains asymptomatic, and the Patriots’ round of tests prior to Gilmore’s positive all came back negative. But given the string of positive tests the Titans have encountered since their outbreak began, this is obviously a situation to monitor.

The NFL has considered pushing its playoff slate back to add a Week 18 makeup window, however. But a Titans hiatus beyond this week would create issues with that plan as well. The next few days figure to be a critical point for the league, which Maske notes believes its in-place protocols will work if they are followed.

Titans Place Corey Davis On Reserve/COVID-19 List

October 7th, 2020 at 3:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

Earlier Wednesday, reports indicated the Titans had two new COVID-19 positives. One of those appears to have been fourth-year wide receiver Corey Davis.

The Titans placed Davis on their reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday afternoon. Tennessee now has 12 players on that list. The team still cannot re-enter its facility for practice, putting its Sunday game against Buffalo in doubt.

The league, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter), has launched an investigation into the Titans. They have seen a coronavirus outbreak spread among their roster and are believed to have conducted an illegal offsite workout. Some around the league believe the league is set to levy a “historic” punishment against the team to set an example, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. In addition to levying six-figure fines against teams for their coaches not complying with mask protocols, the NFL has threatened to strip teams of draft picks. That would seem to be the baseline for a “historic” punishment.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Davis joins fellow wideout Adam Humphries, defensive line starters Jeffery Simmons and DaQuan Jones, second-round cornerback Kristian Fulton, linebacker Kamalei Correa, long snapper Beau Brinkley, first-round tackle Isaiah Wilson, running back Khari Blasingame and practice squad players Cameron Batson, Greg Mabin and Tommy Hudson.

If the Titans-Bills game does happen this week — which is still the league’s plan — Tennessee could be severely shorthanded at wide receiver. No. 1 target A.J. Brown has not played since Week 1, but the team’s virtual injury report listed the second-year player as going through a pseudo-limited practice. This marks a pivotal year for Davis, after the Titans did not pick up his fifth-year option in May. Through three games, the former top-five pick has 15 receptions for 206 yards and a touchdown.

Titans’ Workout Violates NFL’s COVID-19 Rules

October 7th, 2020 at 1:41pm CST by Zachary Links

The Titans broke league protocols by gathering for a workout last week (Twitter link via Paul Kuharsky). Kuharsky’s story includes photo evidence, which could prove to be problematic for the team.

The Titans were barred from gathering in person following their initial coronavirus outbreak. By working out at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, those involved could place league discipline. Hypothetically, this could lead to a forced forfeiture of a game, per the league’s updated guidelines for safety. For the time being, that scenario has not been discussed by league officials, Judy Battista of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears.

The Titans are currently slated to face the Bills in a Week 5 matchup at Nissan Stadium. That could change in the coming hours following word of more positive tests in Tennessee.

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