NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Tennessee Titans suspended operations after several within the organization, including three players, tested positive for COVID-19. The team also confirmed that facilities will be shut down until Saturday.
The NFL said in a statement Tuesday that three players and five personnel members tested positive for the virus. The Titans released a statement, saying they’re working remotely today and following NFL protocols.
"Out of an abundance of caution, the organization has decided to work remotely today as we follow NFL protocols related to the COVID-19 virus. Several tests have come back positive and are working through the process of confirming them. We will have more information tomorrow," the organization said Tuesday.
NFL protocol for positive tests requires immediate isolation of positive tests and all close contacts as defined here by the league. #Titans @NC5 pic.twitter.com/jk5k1i7L5T
— Steve Layman (@SteveLayman) September 29, 2020
The Titans are scheduled to play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Nissan Stadium on Sunday. For the first time this season, fans would be allowed to attend the game at 10% capacity -- fewer than 7,000 of the stadium's 69,143 maximum capacity.
The NFL has not yet made a decision about the game. Pittsburgh says it’s been informed to proceed as usual with its game planning until told otherwise. Tennessee will have to do all its work remotely.
The expectation of the NFL was that it was inevitable that there would be positive tests this season. They expanded gameday and active rosters by two and increased the size of the practice squad and eased the ability in which players can be moved up and down. #Titans @NC5
— Steve Layman (@SteveLayman) September 29, 2020
The team traveled to Minnesota over the weekend for Sunday's game against the Vikings. The NFL says both teams will suspend in-person operations starting today. Read the NFL's full statement below:
"On Tuesday morning, the Titans COVID testing results returned three new player positives and five new personnel positives. The Titans will suspend in-person club activities starting today. Likewise, the Vikings, who played the Titans on Sunday, will also suspend in-person club activities. Both clubs are working closely with the NFL and NFLPA, including our infectious disease experts, to evaluate close contacts, perform additional testing and monitor developments. All decisions will be made with health and safety as our primary consideration. We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available."
Our statement with the @NFL: pic.twitter.com/kNDotC96Nz
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) September 29, 2020
The Vikings organization said as of Tuesday morning, they have not had any positive results.
Statement from the #Vikings pic.twitter.com/JMG136w2ci
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 29, 2020
NewsChannel 5 sports anchor Steve Layman says if the game is postponed, the best chance for it to be made up is if the NFL moves the Steelers-Ravens game scheduled for week seven to their shared bye in week eight. The Titans and Steelers could then play in week seven.
The Titans' outbreak marks the biggest COVID-19 scare the league has experienced to date. Atlanta Falcons CB A.J. Terrell tested positive for the virus on Saturday and became the first player to miss a game because of the virus on Sunday. There have been no other reports of positive tests among Falcons players or team personnel since Saturday.
** The Scripps National Desk contributed to this report.
