Titans players test positive for COVID-19, shutting team down until Saturday

Three Titans players tested positive for COVID-19 after Sunday’s game against the Vikings.

The Tennessee Titans moved to 3-0 on the 2020 season with a win in Minnesota over the Vikings on Sunday. But the aftermath is now the story. Following the victory, three Titans players and five personnel members for the organization tested positive for COVID-19, as first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero.

As a result of the positive tests, the league has immediately halted the use of the Titans and Vikings team facilities by both organizations. Furthermore, ESPN’s Dianna Russini was the first to report that Tennessee will not be allowed back in the building until Saturday, just one day before their game. They will be asked to “practice” remotely.

With the Vikings, their shutdown on Tuesday is a precautionary measure at this time. According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Minnesota had no positive test but, given the nature of the virus and the delicacy of the situation, the league is being extremely cautious with the situation.

According to the COVID-19 protocols established and agreed upon prior to the season, the Titans can retest the players and personnel who tested positives will get a retest and a point of care test. If those were to both be negative, the players and personnel would be allowed to immediately return to the facility, as would the rest of the team.

The Titans positive tests will be a big test for the team and the NFL.

While Falcons rookie cornerback A.J. Terrell tested positive prior to last week’s game, this is the first major test for the NFL in how they will navigate the virus in the regular season. It’s a heartening sign to see the caution being taken, most notably with the Vikings shutting down their facility despite no positive tests.

But where we go from here will be key. The retesting and then how to proceed from there will be a critical juncture for the NFL and, as such, the Titans. If Tennessee is indeed shut out of their team facilities until at least Saturday, you have to wonder if they will still be asked to play their Week 4 game against the Steelers.

Again, this is a crucial moment for the league as they attempt to have a full regular season. Subsequently, this is a story worth keeping an eye on as it pertains to how the Titans and the NFL at large proceed with the given circumstances.