Titans’ inability to deal with COVID-19 puts cloud over Chiefs schedule
By Matt Conner
The Titans had another positive test for COVID-19 which clouds the Chiefs upcoming schedule.
The Tennessee Titans have, for reasons unknown to the general public, decided to deal with a global pandemic in their own way. At this point, it’s likely safe to assume that coaches are licking footballs and players are coughing into each others’ faces as personal greetings—at least it feels that way given how out-of-control the results of COVID-19 tests have been in Nashville.
On Sunday morning, NFL reporter Tom Pelissero (and others) got word that a member of the Titans staff had tested positive for COVID-19—the latest positive result on a team that has had more than the entire NFL combined during the regular season (and then some).
The #Titans announce they’ve also shut down their facility temporarily after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 11, 2020
The NFL has alerted involved teams to the possibility of schedule changes, but no final decisions yet on a new date for #Patriots-#Broncos or related ripple effects on other teams, I'm told. A lot of moving parts.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 11, 2020
As of now, #Titans-#Bills remains on for Tuesday night.
At this point, the Titans have been getting positive results most days since September 24, when the news first leaked of the first results. Since then, an incredible 24 players and personnel members have tested positive for the coronavirus. Given the incredible lengths to which other teams have gone to stave off the spread of the virus and to keep their facilities locked down, the Titans allowing things to spread is not only irresponsible but inept.
At this point, as Pelissero notes, the Titans are scheduled to play the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday night, which was already postponed to such a late date in order to accommodate the Titans ineptitude. Now questions are being asked once again about what to do in response to the new positive test.
If the NFL forces the Titans to forfeit the game, the Bills will play two days later than their currently scheduled game. Instead of ending Week 5 against the Titans on Tuesday, they would open Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football. If the Titans are able to somehow show that nothing further has spread and all things COVID are under control. the Bills will play on Tuesday and then against on Sunday against the Chiefs.
Basically what this means is that everyone has already altered a bunch of plans to make up for the shoddy operation known as the Tennessee Titans and further actions are likely to come. They’re like the drunk uncle of the NFL that somehow got wind of the family gathering. Now he’s the one for whom everyone has to apologize, make room, and frustratingly tolerate. The Chiefs are just the latest team to be inconvenienced by the Titans poor choices.