Baltimore Ravens star Marlon Humphrey announced he tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, becoming the latest NFL player to play on Sunday with the virus.
Humphrey, an All-Pro cornerback in 2019, underwent testing for the coronavirus on Sunday. When the results came in Monday morning, the Ravens learned their star defender had COVID-19.
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NFL news: Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey diagnosed with COVID-19
Following the Tennessee Titans’ COVID-19 outbreak, the NFL modified its testing protocols for the coronavirus. After testing players six days a week, the league also started testing players on Sundays.
The PCR tests, which come at a staggering cost for the NFL, are conducted by teams every morning. However, the results aren’t received until late in the night or the following morning. As a result, in both cases from Week 8, Humphrey was able to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Humphrey played 100% of Baltimore’s defensive snaps on Sunday, providing tight coverage and finishing with four tackles. While he didn’t experience any symptoms of the virus at the time, there were troubling signs earlier in the week.
According to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, Humphrey was sent home on Wednesday after experiencing cold symptoms. He was allowed to return and practice on Thursday and Friday, receiving clearance to play in Week 8.
Following the positive test, the only case between the Steelers and Ravens from Sunday’s results, both teams have started following the NFL’s intensive protocols at their facilities. Contact tracing will be done and any player deemed to be a “high-risk” close contact must have six consecutive days with a negative test before being cleared to return.
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The Ravens are scheduled to play the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Week 9, which remains scheduled barring a larger outbreak on the roster. Pittsburgh can practice on Wednesday and face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon, barring multiple positive tests in the next few days.