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After bobbing and weaving across the coronavirus pandemic for a lot of the autumn, the N.F.L. nears the top of the third quarter of its common season going through crises on groups from coast to coast.
On Saturday, well being officers in Santa Clara County threw the San Francisco 49ers’ season into turmoil after they quickly banned all contact sports activities at the highschool, faculty {and professional} ranges and required anybody touring into the area from greater than 150 miles away to quarantine. The order would apply to the Stanford and San Jose State faculty soccer groups, and to the San Jose Sharks of the N.H.L., amongst others.
In Baltimore, six extra members of the Ravens have examined constructive for the virus, together with 4 key defenders, as the outbreak within the staff’s locker room expanded to 18 gamers, together with the staff’s star quarterback, Lamar Jackson.
And in Denver, the Broncos seem to have run out of quarterbacks since Blake Bortles, Drew Lock and Brett Rypien had been compelled to quarantine after coming in touch with a fourth quarterback, Jeff Driskel, who examined constructive for the virus on Thursday, in accordance with an individual conversant in the state of affairs who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of the staff had not introduced the small print. All 4 gamers are ineligible to play Sunday when the Broncos face the New Orleans Saints.
For a lot of the season, the N.F.L. had just one full-fledged outbreak, when two dozen gamers and different personnel examined constructive on the Tennessee Titans. The league obtained by way of that disaster by suspending a handful of video games and transferring a number of others round. However each staff has exhausted its bye week, complicating efforts to juggle recreation dates this late within the season.
The outbreak on the Ravens prompted the league to maneuver their recreation in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers from Thursday to Sunday after which to Tuesday subsequent week. The sport remains to be scheduled for Tuesday regardless of the rise in constructive circumstances.
If any video games, together with the Ravens-Steelers matchup, are unable to suit into the league’s current calendar, the N.F.L. could have so as to add an 18th week to the common season and delay the beginning of the playoffs.
The league’s medical doctors stated they anticipate the variety of constructive circumstances to rise in step with surging infections throughout the nation. On Friday, the N.F.L. instructed each staff to cancel in-person practices on Monday and Tuesday as a result of some gamers and personnel had celebrated the Thanksgiving vacation with household and associates.
The 49ers face extra urgent issues. The choice by native well being officers may drive the staff to maneuver a minimum of two dwelling video games subsequent month.
“We’re liable to exceeding our hospital capability very quickly if present tendencies proceed,” stated Dr. Sara Cody, the well being officer for Santa Clara County, who added that the variety of sufferers hospitalized with Covid-19 within the county had doubled up to now few weeks.
The 49ers, who’re to play the Rams in Los Angeles on Sunday, ought to have the ability to return to Santa Clara County earlier than the quarantine goes into impact. However it’s not clear the place and when they may go subsequent.
“We’re conscious of the Santa Clara County Public Well being Division’s emergency directive,” Bob Lange, the 49ers staff spokesman, stated in a press release. “We’re working with the N.F.L. and our companions on operational plans and can share particulars as they’re confirmed.”
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