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NFL COVID: Titans, Patriots and Raiders players test positive for coronavirus

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (NewsNation Now) — There are now three NFL teams that have players who have tested positive for coronavirus, potentially putting this weekend’s games in jeopardy.

Here are the latest updates on the Tennessee Titans, the New England Patriots and the Las Vegas Raiders:


Tennessee Titans

Tennessee will not be returning to the team’s facility Wednesday after two more players tested positive in the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

The Titans had no positive tests Monday or Tuesday for the first time after six consecutive days of positive results. A third straight day was necessary for the team to be allowed back in its headquarters.

Instead, the Titans’ outbreak now is up to 22 cases with 20 now returned since Sept. 29 with the latest results, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither the NFL nor the Titans announced the latest results.

This latest result puts into question Tennessee’s scheduled game Sunday against Buffalo (4-0) in a game between two of the NFL’s six remaining undefeated teams. The NFL already postponed, then rescheduled the Titans’ game with Pittsburgh from Oct. 4 to Oct. 25.

The franchise has continued daily testing since the NFL told the Titans to close their facility on Sept. 29, and the league sent all 32 teams a memo Thursday with list of new protocols for clubs to follow when dealing with an outbreak or having been exposed to an outbreak during the coronavirus pandemic.

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots canceled their practice on Wednesday after a third player tested positive for the coronavirus, according to reports.

NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero posted on Twitter that cornerback Stephon Gilmore is the latest player to test positive.

Gilmore, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, played in Monday night’s game in Kansas City, NewsNation affiliate WPRI reports.

According to NFL insider Field Yates, the Patriots now have Gilmore, quarterback Cam Newton, and practice squad defensive tackle Bill Murray on their COVID-19/reserve list.

The Patriots are set to face the Denver Broncos Sunday.

Las Vegas Raiders


The Las Vegas Raiders have placed defensive tackle Maurice Hurst on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Hurst is the first Raiders player placed on the list since the start of the regular season. The list is used for players who either test positive for the coronavirus or have been in close contact with an infected person.

Hurst didn’t attend the charity function last week that led the NFL to fine 10 Raiders players for their conduct at the event that violated COVID-19 protocols.

Hurst leads the Raiders this season with five quarterback pressures, according to SportRadar.

The Raiders are scheduled to play the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday.

The Associated Press and NewsNation affiliate WPRI contributed to this report.