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By Amy Tennery
(Reuters) - The National Football
League (NFL) once again delayed a game between the Baltimore
Ravens and the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers, pushing it from
Tuesday to Wednesday, as the league grapples with COVID-19
positive tests.
The game between the two divisional rivals was originally set
for the NFL's coveted Thanksgiving Day primetime slot but was
delayed - first to Sunday and then to Tuesday - as several
Ravens players were placed on their reserve/COVID list.
The game will now be played at 3:40 pm ET on Wednesday, the
league said, forcing delays for two Week 13 games between the
Steelers and the Washington Football Team and the Dallas Cowboys
and Ravens.
"These decisions were made out of an abundance of caution to
ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day
personnel and in consultation with medical experts," the NFL
said.
A dozen players and eight staff members of the Baltimore team
had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Sunday, CBS Sports
reported, including reigning league MVP quarterback Lamar
Jackson.
"As we continue to follow the advice of the NFL's health
experts, as well as the Ravens' medical professionals, we are
preparing for our game against the Steelers," the Ravens said
Monday, adding that they held a "safely distanced
walk-through/conditioning session" at the team's practice
facility.
The Ravens said last week that they had disciplined a staff
member for conduct related to the outbreak.
The NFL is working to keep its season on track to culminate with
the Super Bowl in February, as the ongoing pandemic sidelines
players and forced the San Francisco 49ers from their home
stadium to avoid running afoul of new local regulations banning
contact sports in Santa Clara County.
Denver Broncos practice squad wide receiver Kendall Hinton was
given less than 24 hours notice to suit up and play quarterback
against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, after all four of his
team's quarterbacks were ruled ineligible to play due to
COVID-19 exposure.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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