NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a memo to executives from the league's 32 franchises on Tuesday in response to the news that eight members of the Tennessee Titans personnel tested positive for COVID-19.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell just sent this memo to club executives in light of the #Titans eight new confirmed positive COVID-19 cases, urging clubs to revisit steps taken to limit close contacts and review procedures for bringing in new players, among other precautions. pic.twitter.com/vxkk8Z9Xbh
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 29, 2020
The memo, via NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, stresses adherence to the health and safety protocols. It encourages teams to limit close contact between players and review the procedures for bringing in new players into team facilities.
Goodell's note reminds clubs that the positive tests were “not unexpected,” as the league's medical experts warned there would be positive tests throughout the season.
Additionally, the memo outlines the steps the league took after learning of the test results from three Titans players and five staff members—a process that includes reviewing contact tracing data, offering tests to those recently in close capacity with Titans personnel, and suspending in-person activities at the facilities for the Titans and their Week 3 opponent, the Minnesota Vikings.
“These results confirm the need to remain diligent in implementing all of our health and safety protocols to the fullest extent. This includes not only our testing program, but facility maintenance, wearing PPE by players and staff, and carefully regulating behavior and contacts outside of the club facility,” Goodell wrote.
The Titans organization released a statement confirming they will stop in-person preparation for their Week 4 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. At the moment, the game is still slated for Sunday, though rescheduling plans are being discussed.
“Out of the abundance of caution, the organization has decided to work remotely today as we follow NFL protocols related to the COVID-19 virus,” the Titans' statement read.
The eight positive tests were confirmed after additional testing, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert, and those who tested positive were reportedly asymptomatic on Tuesday.
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