Ravens-Steelers moved to Sunday due to COVID-19 issues
The NFL postponed the Thanksgiving Day game between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, moving it from Thursday to Sunday afternoon at 1:15 p.m. ET due to the Ravens' COVID-19 issues, the league announced Wednesday.
Baltimore has recorded seven positive tests among players since Sunday night. Those players are running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins, defensive ends Pernell McPhee and Calais Campbell, quarterback Trace McSorley, center Matt Skura, and offensive lineman Patrick Mekari, a source told ESPN's Dan Graziano.
All seven players will miss the AFC North showdown.
The Ravens placed Campbell, Skura, and Mekari on the COVID-19 list Wednesday afternoon.
Baltimore reportedly also has an unconfirmed number of positives among coaches and support staff.
The Ravens announced later Wednesday the club has disciplined a staff member for conduct related to the team's COVID-19 outbreak.
A strength and conditioning coach didn't report symptoms or wear a mask or tracking device consistently, and that may have led to the rash of positive cases on the team, reports NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Pittsburgh was forced to move up its bye week earlier in the season due to the Tennessee Titans' COVID-19 issues. The latest setback imposed upon the team isn't sitting well with Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster:
First the NFL takes away our bye week because another team can’t get their Covid situation together, now they take away our Thanksgiving primetime game for the same reason. Smh.
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) November 25, 2020
It will be the first time the NFL won't feature a prime-time game on Thanksgiving since 2005, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
The NFL won't adjust the start times of its remaining two Thanksgiving games, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Houston Texans are scheduled to face the Detroit Lions at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, while the Dallas Cowboys will host the Washington Football Team at 4:30 p.m.