Lamar Jackson tests positive for COVID-19 before game vs Steelers

Ahead of the Baltimore Ravens game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, quarterback Lamar Jackson was revealed to have tested positive for COVID-19.

Playing in the middle of a global pandemic was always going to be a challenge for the NFL. On Wednesday, the league made the tough decision to postpone the Thanksgiving night game between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers due to multiple Ravens players testing positive for COVID-19. With the game moved to Sunday afternoon, Baltimore will likely be without their star player, if the matchup is played at all.

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has tested positive for COVID-19.

Ravens having trouble containing outbreak

Things only got worse after the Jackson revelation. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that four more Ravens players and a staff member also tested positive for the coronavirus. Schefter adds that a source told him that there’s “no way” the game can be played on Sunday.

The bad news started earlier this week, when it was revealed that top running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins tested positive for the coronavirus. Shortly thereafter, names like defensive end Calais Campbell, defensive tackle Brandon Williams, linebacker Pernell McPhee, cornerback Iman Marshall and centers Matt Skura and Patrick Mekari were revealed to have yielded a positive test result.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Ravens announced they disciplined a strength and conditioning coach for failing to report COVID-19 symptoms and for not wearing a mask and tracking device at all times. NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reports that this actions of this coach could have contributed to the rise in COVID-19 cases.

From the updates that continue to flood in, Ravens-Steelers is very unlikely to be played on Sunday, putting the NFL in quite the conundrum. It appears that the emergency “Week 18” scenario is close to becoming a reality.