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Falcons news: Atlanta's Week 6 game vs. Vikings on after COVID-19 scare

The Atlanta Falcons had to shut their facility down on Thursday, but they're now in the clear and will face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

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The Atlanta Falcons' Week 6 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings will be played as scheduled on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

“Falcons tests have cleared, and players and staff are returning to their facility today, per source. Game on track for Sunday in Minnesota,” ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Friday morning.

The kickoff time was momentarily in doubt after a member of Falcons personnel, not a player, tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week. Atlanta closed its facility on Thursday out of “an abundance of caution,” but re-opened it on Friday.

The team said it is following NFL's revised COVID-19 protocols, which require all meetings to be held virtually and protective equipment such as face masks or shields to be worn by all players and staff on the practice field. They will also undertake a daily deep cleaning of their facility.

The Falcons (0-5) are still looking for their first win of the season. The matchup with the 1-4 Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium will be the team's first game since owner Arthur Blank cleaned house on Monday — firing head coach Dan Quinn, general manager Thomas Dimitroff, and special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica.

The team restructured their coaching staff this week, with former defensive coordinator Raheem Morris taking over as interim head coach and Jeff Ulbrich moving to defensive coordinator. Former running backs coach Bernie Parmalee will take over the special teams unit.

As the Tennessee Titans showed in their 42-16 romp over the previously undefeated Buffalo Bills on Tuesday, multiple in-house positive tests and limited use of the team facilities may not necessarily translate to poor on-field performance. (Playing the 2020 Vikings helps prevent poor performance, too.)

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Michael Corvo has been the Lakers beat reporter for ClutchPoints since 2021. He also covers golf and movies. One day, he hopes to see the New York Jets win another playoff game. Inspirations: Paul Giamatti, Shane Falco, Phife Dawg.