Players of the Tennessee Titans celebrate their victory at the American Football Conference (AFC) Wild Card Playoff game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Massachusetts, U.S., January 4, 2020. /CFP
The Tennessee Titans won't be back inside their building until Saturday at the earliest because of eight positive tests for the COVID-19, the first outbreak to hit the American National Football League (NFL) as it tries to play a full schedule amid the pandemic.
Tennessee is scheduled to host Pittsburgh in a matchup of two of the league's seven remaining undefeated teams on Sunday, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said his team has been "given a mandate" to prepare as if the game will be played on time – even if the Titans are unable to practice.
"We're going to trust the medical experts," Tomlin said. "If they deem it safe for us to proceed, we're going to go down there with the intention of playing and playing to win."
Tennessee suspended in-person activities through Friday after the NFL said three Titans players and five personnel tested positive for the coronavirus. The NFL had played three weeks without a COVID-19 outbreak. Now, the Titans will become the first significant in-season test of the league's virus protocols.
Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates after rushing for a 1-yard touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff game in Baltimore, Maryland, January 11, 2020. /CFP
The Minnesota Vikings also suspended in-person activities Tuesday following the Titans' test results. The Titans beat the Vikings 31-30 in Minneapolis last weekend.
"Both clubs are working closely with the NFL and the NFL Players Association, including our infectious disease experts, to evaluate close contacts, perform additional testing and monitor developments," the league said in a statement.
The Titans placed a pair of key players, defensive captain and lineman DaQuan Jones and long snapper Beau Brinkley, on the reserve/COVID-19 list later Tuesday.
The Vikings released a statement saying they had not received any positive results from their testing after Sunday's game and they followed NFL protocol by closing their facility immediately. The Minnesota complex will remain closed at least through Wednesday.
Minnesota is scheduled to visit Houston on Sunday.
"All decisions will be made with health and safety as our primary consideration," the NFL said. "We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available."