Ravens Fined $250,000 For COVID-19 Violations: NFL Insider

BALTIMORE, MD — The NFL fined the Baltimore Ravens $250,000 for violations that resulted in a COVID-19 outbreak that put multiple players on the injured reserve list, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, according to the NFL Network.

Four unique strains of the coronavirus impacted the Ravens, the NFL found in its review of the situation, noting that the team had 10 days in a row with positive tests among its members.

The infection caused the league to postpone the Ravens-Steelers matchup three times. It was to be held on Thanksgiving, then was moved to Sunday, then Tuesday and was ultimately played Wednesday, Dec. 2. The Dallas Cowboys game was also postponed as a result.

For its role in the outbreak, the NFL fined the Ravens $250,000, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, who previously reported other teams have faced penalties too:

• The New England Patriots were fined $350,000 for COVID-19 protocol breaches.
• The Tennessee Titans were fined $650,000 for three separate violations.
• The New Orleans Saints were fined $500,000 and docked a seventh-round pick for what ESPN called a mask-less locker room celebration after a win in Tampa.
• The Las Vegas Raiders were fined nearly $1.2 million for multiple violations and docked a sixth-round draft pick.

In its review, the NFL assesses protocol violations and determines whether there was something the coach or executive could have done to control issues; if people were not wearing masks on the field; and if there were additional protocol breaches, according to Rapoport.

The Ravens disciplined a staff member for "conduct surrounding the recent COVID-19 cases that have affected players and staff," the Ravens said in a statement issued on Thanksgiving. According to a reporter for the NFL Network, the staffer was a strength and conditioning coach who neither reported symptoms nor wore a mask.

Related:

• Ravens-Steelers Game Postponed For 3rd Time: Report
• Baltimore Ravens Coronavirus Reserve List Grows
• Lamar Jackson Tests Positive For Coronavirus: Report
• Baltimore Ravens Player Tests Positive For Coronavirus