The latest COVID-19 update suggests that the Colts are on track to play Sunday against Baltimore.
The Indianapolis Colts face a huge test against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, so of course both teams have been forced to navigate around positive COVID-19 tests within their respective organizations this week.
On Thursday, the former announced that a staff member tested positive and four players who were determined to be in close contact to him — right guard Quenton Nelson, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., defensive end Tyquan Lewis and defensive tackle Sheldon Day — were absent from practice for precautionary reasons.
Well, in a timely positive update, Indianapolis’ latest batch of tests came back negative, meaning that those four players can return to the facility for Friday’s practice, which is expected to be a full session, according to Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star.
No new positive tests for Colts as they get back to work following COVID-19 test for staffer https://t.co/41PN46ki28
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) November 6, 2020
The Colts determined that those four players weren’t found to be high-risk close contracts, which would have forced them to stay away from the team and facility for a minimum of five days before being cleared to return. Had that been the case, they would have been ineligible to play against Baltimore.
In the meantime, however, Indianapolis remains in intensive protocols because of the positive test, which requires players to wear masks and gloves during practice and all meetings to be virtually exclusive. On top of that, a maximum of 15 individuals (10 players and five staffers) are allowed in the weight room at one time, and team gatherings away from the facility are prohibited.
Assuming the Colts abide by the rules, they should be at full strength for Sunday’s showdown against Baltimore, a team that ironically cannot say the same at this point in time.
The four Colts players who missed practice because of COVID-19 contact tracing on Thursday, including All-Pro Quenton Nelson, are back with the team today. That means they passed additional tests and have been cleared. The Colts host the Ravens on Sunday.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) November 6, 2020
All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey tested positive earlier in the week, and the Ravens subsequently entered intensive protocol and ordered seven high-risk close contact players to self-isolate for a minimum of five days. While one of their players, outside linebacker Matthew Judon, has been cleared, Baltimore is still waiting to see if the other six will be activated in time for the game.
We’ll provide further updates about either team if necessary, but as of right now it appears as though kickoff will proceed as scheduled at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon, which means it’s officially time for fans in Indianapolis to begin the mental preparations.
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