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sports Diaranson 30 september 2020

Titans have NFL's first COVID-19 outbreak: 8 positive tests

(AP) — The Tennessee Ti- followed NFL protocol by
tans suspended in-person ac- closing their facility immedi-
tivities through Friday after ately. They will remain closed
the NFL says three Titans at least through Wednesday.
players and five personnel They also scheduled a video
tested positive for the coro- conference call for Wednes-
navirus, becoming the first day morning with GM Rick
COVID-19 outbreak of the Spielman and head athletic
NFL season in Week 4. trainer Eric Sugarman, who
is in charge of the team’s
The outbreak threatened to COVID-19 protocols.
jeopardize the Titans' game Minnesota is scheduled to
this weekend against the visit Houston (0-3) on Sun-
Pittsburgh Steelers and posed day.
the first significant in-season
test to the league's coronavi- The Titans (3-0) are sched-
rus protocols. uled to host the Steelers (3-
The NFL issued a statement 0) on Sunday in a matchup
Tuesday saying both the Ti- of two of the league's seven
tans and Minnesota Vikings remaining undefeated teams.
suspended in-person activi- With the Titans unable to
ties Tuesday following the practice until Saturday at
Titans' test results. The Ti- the earliest, when that game
tans beat the Vikings 31-30 might be played is unknown.
in Minneapolis last week- “I just wanna play,” Titans
end. “Both clubs are work- starting left guard Rodger
ing closely with the NFL and Saffold tweeted.
the NFLPA, including our “All decisions will be made
infectious disease experts, to with health and safety as our more detail the nature of the we are informed otherwise,” Titans use devices that detect
evaluate close contacts, per- primary consideration,” the close contacts to determine Lauten said in a statement. whenever someone is within
form additional testing and NFL said. “We will contin- where they occurred (locker Steelers defensive tackle Cam 6 feet of another device and
monitor developments,” the ue to share updates as more room, flights, etc.), and iden- Heyward wrote on Twit- records how long they are
league said. information becomes avail- tify any additional learnings ter that the guys playing the that close together. That pro-
able.” that can be shared with all next week now wind up af- vides a recording of every-
A person familiar with situ- Commissioner Roger clubs.” fected. “This is wild but this one's interactions from inside
ation told The Associated Goodell sent a memo to Goodell asked NFL teams to is the world we live in now,” the team headquarters to the
Press the eight test results teams Tuesday noting the look at what they've done to Heyward wrote. The Titans practice field, an airplane, in-
were all confirmed positives, protocols set up by the league limit contact, especially when initially announced Tuesday side a hotel and at a stadium.
making this the first outbreak and the NFLPA are being traveling and within posi- morning that they would be
since the season began on followed. Those who test- tion groups, and to review working remotely “out of an That information should help
Sept 10. The person spoke to ed positive will be isolated, how they bring in players abundance of caution” af- the Titans and the infectious
the AP on condition of ano- monitored and offered medi- for tryouts. He noted the test ter several test results came disease experts know which
nymity because of health pri- cal care, and family members results confirm the need to back positive. They beat the players and coaches were at
vacy regulations. also are offered testing. Offi- follow health and safety pro- Vikings in Minneapolis with- risk. With the Titans' facility
The Titans placed defensive cials and others who worked tocols “to the fullest extent.” out outside linebackers coach now closed for four days, that
captain and lineman DaQuan the game will be tested. The NFL has been fining Shane Bowen, who did not should also help limit further
Jones, long snapper Beau coaches and teams for coaches travel with the Titans follow- spread of the virus.
Brinkley and a member of “This is not unexpected; as seen not following the league ing a test result Saturday. The Titans were due to have
their practice squad, tight Dr. Sills and others have em- rules requiring face coverings about 7,000 fans in Nissan
end Tommy Hudson, on phasized, there will be play- during games. Pittsburgh Coach Mike Vrabel said Stadium on Sunday as local
the Reserve-COVID-19 list ers and staff who will test spokesman Burt Lauten said Monday that Bowen was not restrictions eased, expand-
on Tuesday afternoon. The positive during the season,” the Steelers have been in with the team. Rookie offen- ing to about 8,500 on Oct.
Vikings released a statement Goodell wrote in the memo contact with the NFL about sive lineman Isaiah Wilson, 11 for a game against Buffalo
saying they had not received obtained by The Associated the Titans' positive tests. “We their top draft pick out of and up to 10,000 on Oct. 18
any positive results from Press, referencing the NFL's have been informed to pro- Georgia, also has been on the when Houston is scheduled
their testing after Sunday's chief medical officer, Dr. Al- ceed with our game prepara- reserve/COVID-19 list for to visit.
game against the Titans and len Sills. “We are exploring in tions for Sunday’s game until the Titans since Sept. 6. The

Premier League yet to agree bailout for lower league clubs

(AP) — Premier League any lower-league clubs that to stadiums for the first time
clubs are yet to agree to a fi- play top-division teams in the since March as coronavirus
nancial bailout for England's FA Cup or League Cup. cases are rising.
lower-division clubs, who The Premier League clubs
are struggling to cope with The EFL has estimated that have agreed on a way of final-
games being played without its 72 clubs will lose 200 mil- izing the season if it cannot
fans. lion pounds ($255 million) if be completed due to the sec-
there are no crowds for the ond wave of the pandemic.
The 20 topflight club held a rest of this season. The EFL
virtual meeting on Tuesday, said they have lost 50 million The final standings will be
two days after the govern- pounds during last season’s determined on a points-per-
ment asked the world's rich- pandemic disruption. game basis, but clubs have not
est league to “play its part” determined the minimum
with support for the English The Premier League has pub- threshold for the number of
Football League. licly expressed its disappoint- games to be completed.
The Premier League will ment that the government
fund coronavirus tests for halted plans for fans to return