Falcons closed their practice facility following one player testing positive for COVID-19FALCONS
The Falcons "shut down their facility today," and their game Sunday against the Vikings "is in jeopardy" following a new positive COVID-19 test this morning, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. The Falcons placed DT Marlon Davidson on the NFL's reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday, and yesterday the team was under a "heightened level of protocols." Falcons QB Matt Ryan yesterday said, "We definitely had different meetings today, completely virtual. We were all in separate rooms and in our own space. Even in practice, masks on our helmets. I think we are doing everything we can to keep it at bay and do the best we can under the guidelines that we've been given" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 10/15). ESPN.com's Adam Schefter reported that the new positive test for the Falcons this morning "was for a Falcons personnel official, not a player." One source said that there were "four positive tests, but a Falcons official said the team is 'not at four confirmed.'" The official also said the Falcons are "still working through details" (ESPN.com, 10/15).
BATED BREATH: In Charlotte, Alaina Getzenberg notes the Panthers have entered the NFL's "intensive protocol related to COVID-19 after at least six players made direct contact" in last Sunday's game with Davidson. The Panthers are "expecting to be in the protocols for five days, through Saturday, meaning as long as the team has no positive tests or other new information," the team "will be out of the intensive protocols for this weekend's game." Due to the recent Titans outbreak, the NFL has "implemented new protocols this month to limit the spread of COVID-19." Those new protocols include that "anyone with 'high-risk' close contact exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual must be isolated for at least five days, even if the person is negative and remains asymptomatic" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/15).
