The New York Giants announced Thursday that one of their players tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the latest outbreak of the NFL season.
Just days before the Giants are set to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football in Week 8, the team has been dealt a blow that could further hurt them in a tough matchup.
Here is the latest on the New York Giants’ COVID-19 outbreak.
NY Giants news: Giants’ offensive lineman tests positive for COVID-19
The Giants revealed in a statement that they received notification on Wednesday night about a player testing positive for COVID-19. Following the test result, the unidentified player was immediately isolated and contact tracing began.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the player is believed to be an offensive lineman and all but four offensive linemen are being quarantined. Unfortunately for New York, the situation is eerily similar to what the Las Vegas Raiders went through in Week 7.
In that instance, Las Vegas sent its entire starting line home after right tackle Trent Brown tested positive on Tuesday. The Raiders were able to get four of their linemen back for Sunday’s game, coincidentally against the Buccaneers, but only after they tested negative five consecutive days.
Additionally, per Ian Rapoport, outside linebackers coach Bret Bielema and defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson came in close contact with the carrier of the virus. As a result, they will be quarantined while additional contact tracing is done. If any player or coach is deemed a high-risk contact, they must isolate for five days.
As of now, Monday’s game between the Giants and Buccaneers isn’t in jeopardy. However, there isn’t enough time for any at-risk players to test negatively for five consecutive days. The only way for that to happen would be if the game was moved to Tuesday night.
Related: NFL changes schedule after COVID-19 outbreak
The NFL has the authority to move a primetime game, as it did for the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills Thursday Night Football game in Week 6 and moving the Raiders-Buccaneers game from SNF to Sunday afternoon in Week 7. Ultimately, a move might be necessary with teams required to have eight offensive lineman available for a game.
Already massive underdogs for Week 8, the Giants would be even more likely to suffer a blowout loss without their starting offensive line.