Were the Ravens really considering a strike to play on Tuesday in Week 12?

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens have long been heated rivals, but as their Week 12 showdown has been delayed three times, it has now turned into a soap opera. Just think about the plot of this daytime series...

An outbreak of COVID-19 forces the Ravens to close their doors, work remotely and put star after star on the Reserve List.

Continued positive tests force the game to be delayed from Thursday to Sunday, then Sunday to Tuesday and now Tuesday to Wednesday.

The NFL gave the Ravens the green light to travel to Pittsburgh, but wait...the plot thickens. Is there any truth to the rumors some, not all, of the Ravens were considering a strike if the NFL made them play on Tuesday?

This from ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio:

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, there are concerns of a potential wildcat strike by the Ravens.

Such a maneuver, if it happens, would pull the pin on a potentially complex legal grenade. The NFL would argue that it’s an illegal strike, violating both the CBA and the agreement struck in early August to allow the season to proceed. The NFL Players Association would likely counter by claiming that the delays coupled with the refusal to let the Ravens properly prepare creates a physical safety risk sufficient to justify refusing to play.

The stakes would potentially be very high. The NFL, based on financial losses absorbed to date in 2020, could choose to rip up the agreement that allows the season to be played and scrap the balance of the season. Although that’s highly unlikely, the source made it clear that this possibility is squarely on the NFLPA’s radar-screen of potential concerns, in large part because no one knows how much money the various teams truly are or aren’t making (or losing) this season. If the league is swimming in red ink, this could be an easy way to stop the bleeding.

Clearly, this was written before the NFL decided to move the game to Wednesday, but believe it or not, the soap opera continues with rumors of the Ravens still upset about the Wednesday game.

It makes you wonder at what point the NFL will stop listening, and do more telling. You know, instead of asking, “Coach Harbaugh, how does playing Wednesday sound?” Instead, saying, “Coach Harbaugh, the game is Wednesday. Show up or forfeit.” Makes you also wonder if the Denver Broncos were given an option when they were told on Saturday all four of their active quarterbacks wouldn’t be able to play and the team would have to start a practice squad wide receiver who played quarterback at Wake Forest in college? I doubt it.

This soap opera is far from over, so be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for the Ravens, at some point.

Like sand through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives...