After the news broke Monday of the Baltimore Ravens having several members of the organization testing positive for COVID-19, speculation began to run rampant as to how these positive tests came about.
Did the players go out?
Were the Ravens ignoring protocols?
As the number of players and personnel who tested positive for the virus continued to increase, it became clear something was off. The Ravens, like their Week 12 opponent the Pittsburgh Steelers, had been in the NFL’s intense COVID-19 protocols since Marlon Humphrey tested positive for the virus the day after the Steelers’ Week 8 win.
These extensive protocols are meant to limit the spread of the virus by turning meetings virtual, and the only time players are in the building are for workouts, treatment or walk throughs/practices.
So, if a coach ignored symptoms and didn’t follow protocols it could result in some pretty severe consequences. As it turns out, this is exactly what happened within the Ravens’ organization.
As Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network outlines, a strength and conditioning coach for Baltimore didn’t report symptoms, consistently didn’t wear a mask or wear the contact tracing device the NFL mandates for all employees when they are in the buildings.
The #Ravens disciplined a strength and conditioning coach for not reporting symptoms and not consistently wearing a mask or tracking device, which may have contributed to the team's rash of COVID-19 cases, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 25, 2020
The Ravens have disciplined this employee, likely hoping to avoid further discipline form the NFL, but it might be too little too late. The league moved the Week 12 game from Thanksgiving night to Sunday at 1:15 p.m. ET, but with each passing day there are more Ravens’ players and personnel testing positive.
Will the game even be able to be played on Sunday? The NFL seems determined to get the game in regardless, but a lot can change, as fans have witnessed this week. Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for the Ravens in Week 12 at Heinz Field.