Source: NFL mulls third postponement of Baltimore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers game amid coronavirus outbreak

ByJAMISON HENSLEY
November 30, 2020, 4:59 PM

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The NFL is pondering a third postponement of the Baltimore Ravens' game against the  Pittsburgh Steelers to later this week, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The league canceled the Ravens' practice that was scheduled for Monday morning, a day before the team is scheduled to play the unbeaten Steelers at Heinz Field.

Monday's round of Ravens test results produced no new positives that would impact Tuesday night's game, a source told ESPN's Dan Graziano. There was one new positive, but it's a player on injured reserve who hasn't had close contact with anyone else, according to the source. The NFL has offered the Ravens the option to fly to Pittsburgh on Tuesday, which would offer the team another round of test results to evaluate but the Ravens haven't decided what to do. Baltimore's facility is reopening shortly and they will discuss their options, the source said.

The Ravens are in the midst of one of the biggest coronavirus outbreaks in professional sports with at least one positive test for the past eight days. Baltimore has officially placed 22 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list in the past week and has since had three starters -- tight end Mark Andrews, outside linebacker Matthew Judon and wide receiver Willie Snead IV -- test positive, according to sources.

Andrews, Judon, Snead and cornerback Terrell Bonds were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday afternoon, the team announced. The team also activated four players from the list: Linebacker Jaylon Ferguson, guard D.J. Fluker, cornerback Iman Marshall and defensive tackle Broderick Washington. Marshall will revert back to injured reserve.

The Ravens now have 35 players on their 53-man roster after guard Tyre Phillips (shoulder) was activated off injured reserve and cornerback Davontae Harris was officially signed.

The outbreak in Baltimore already has caused the Week 12 game between the Ravens and Steelers to be postponed twice.

The Ravens were about to hold their first full practice in 10 days on Monday morning before the league canceled it. The team facility has been closed since Tuesday at noon.

After the practice was canceled, All-Pro Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey tweeted: "Virtual Tuesday Night Game?"

Over that time, at least a dozen players have tested positive, including reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins, starting center Patrick Mekari, fullback Patrick Ricard, defensive end Calais Campbell and outside linebackers Pernell McPhee and Judon, according to a source. None of those players will play against the Steelers.

In total, there have been at least 30 members of the Ravens organization -- from players to coaches to even the team nutritionist -- who have tested positive or have been identified as a high-risk close contact since Nov. 22.