Sunday's Titans vs. Steelers game postponed to allow more time for COVID-19 testing
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Sunday's Titans vs. Steelers game at Nissan Stadium has been postponed, the NFL announced Wednesday.
The league said the decision to reschedule was made to allow for more time for COVID-19 testing. The new game date and time will either be Monday or Tuesday, the NFL says.
*Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel is providing updates on a press call now. Keep up with the latest information from FOX 17 Sports reporter Tatum Everett on Twitter.*
"We are preparing to play the football game as early as Monday," Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday. "I think the focus and understanding of this football team will be to play Monday. I believe the league will give us time to practice before Monday and move onto the game."
The postponement comes after reports say four Tennessee Titans players and five staff members have tested positive for the virus. Vrabel confirmed he is not one of the five personnel who tested positive for COVID-19.
ALSO READ: 4 Tennessee Titans players, 5 staffers test positive for COVID-19: Report
Tuesday, the Titans placed defensive lineman DaQuan Jones, long snapper Beau Brinkley and tight end Tommy Hudson onto the Reserve/COVID-19 list. On Monday, Coach Mike Vrabel said outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen did not travel with the team to the game against Minneapolis due to COVID-19 testing protocols.
"Nobody is to blame. We’re in a pandemic," Vrabel said Wednesday. "Jon Robinson and I feel comfortable with the protocols and everything that we have done."
Vrabel said he spoke with the players this morning, and that they're willing to play whenever they are wanted to play.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill joined the virtual press call Wednesday about the Titans-Steelers game.
"It’s not an ideal situation. We have to do whatever it takes to get ready to play," Tannehill said. "Whenever the league says we play, we have to be ready to go when we step on the field."
Right now, the team is working remotely as the NFL Players Association says all in-person club activities are suspended. Tannehill said overall the team has done a great job of being professional while in a virtual setting.
Before the postponement was announced, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday night his team was prepared to travel to Nashville and is going to trust the medical experts.
The Titans-Steelers game was originally scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Details of the new Titans-Steelers game are expected to be announced soon.
