Sports
Ravens-Steelers Game On Despite 3 Coronavirus Cases: Harbaugh
Three members of the Baltimore Ravens have tested positive for the coronavirus, but the Thanksgiving game vs. the Steelers is on.
BALTIMORE, MD — While three Baltimore Ravens players will be sidelined because of coronavirus protocols, the team's Thanksgiving matchup against the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers is on, Coach John Harbaugh said Monday at a press conference.
All contact tracing has been completed to see if other Baltimore players were exposed to the coronavirus, and the team is looking forward to the game, Harbaugh said.
Players Mark Ingram, J.K. Dobbins and Brandon Williams have been added to the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team tweeted.
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The Ravens temporarily closed their practice facility in Owings Mills after several people affiliated with the organization tested positive for the coronavirus, but it had reopened by Monday afternoon, according to Harbaugh.
"Last night, we were informed that multiple members of the Baltimore Ravens organization tested positive for COVID-19, and those individuals immediately began to self-quarantine," the team statement said. "We have started the process of contact tracing, and during this time, the Under Armour Performance Center will be closed, with all team activities conducted virtually."
Find out what's happening in Baltimorefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Reminder: The NFL instituted its high-risk close contact protocol Oct. 12. Six weeks of games since, zero postponements. And with Week 11 wrapping up tonight, the NFL remains on track to play all 256 games in 17 weeks. https://t.co/bLsMSdEhv4
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 23, 2020
The NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that the Ravens top two running backs are among those who have tested positive for COVID-19 and would miss the game if it is played.
#Ravens RBs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins have tested positive for COVID-19 and will be placed on the reserve list later today, according to sources. All aboard the Gus Bus for Thursday vs. the #Steelers.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 23, 2020
ESPN's Kevin Seifert noted that other Ravens could be ineligible to play on Thursday. However, Harbaugh said all contact tracing had been completed Monday afternoon, with only the three Ravens on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
If the NFL finds any “high-risk” close contacts among the Ravens, the required five-day isolation period would leave them unable to play or coach Thursday. https://t.co/cD7OSjsG1u
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) November 23, 2020
A victory by the 10-0 Steelers over the 6-4 Ravens would eliminate Baltimore from AFC North division title contention.
The game is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. on Thanksgiving. It will be broadcast on NBC>
Patch Field Editor Eric Heyl contributed to this article.
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