Denver Broncos closes facility after player two staff test positive for coronavirus

ENGLEWOOD, Colo .– The Denver Broncos canceled Friday practice and players and coaches will meet virtually after one player and two staff test positive for COVID-19.

The Broncos were informed of the test results early Friday morning. This is in addition to quarterback Jeff Driskel, who was transferred to the reserve / COVID-19 list on Thursday. It is not known whether Driskel has tested positive for the coronavirus or has been identified as close contact from someone who has.

The Broncos are scheduled to face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Empower Field in Mile High.

The Broncos were cleared for Thanksgiving training by NFL medical staff after transferring Driskel to the reserve / COVID-19 list.

When asked Thursday morning if he had any concerns that other players, including one of the team’s other quarterbacks, would come forward as testing positive, Broncos coach Vic Fangio said: “No, the other quarters were only on minimal amounts [as contact traces with Driskel], like two minutes and a few seconds, four minutes. It’s over a three or four day period. They carefully checked the guys who were on the two minutes, three minutes, four minutes, and they came back and said no one else needed to be on the list and they let us have normal activities and normal practice. [Thursday]. ”

This is the third time the Broncos have canceled practices and other on-site activities at their facility this season. The first was after goalkeeper Graham Glasgow tested positive at the end of October and then earlier this month after defensive end Shelby Harris tested positive.

Glasgow is back in the squad. Harris recently returned to work with the team’s strength and conditioning staff, but has not yet returned to practice.

Defensive coordinator Ed Donatell has missed the last four games with an extended bout with the virus which linebacker Alexander Johnson said required Donatell to be hospitalized. Running backs coach Curtis Modkins and offensive line coach Mike Munchak have also missed time this season due to the virus.