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Baltimore Ravens players expressed frustration Wednesday at what has become one of the biggest COVID-19 outbreaks in professional sports.
Following their 19-14 road loss to the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore players questioned a lack of preparation as well as some of the NFL’s decisions at a time when at least one Ravens player has tested positive for 10 consecutive days.
“It’s not about whether or not the guys want to play,” said quarterback Robert Griffin III after replacing reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, who tested positive last week. “It’s about knowing if our security is really taken into account. I can not say more.”
The Ravens-Steelers game, originally scheduled for Thanksgiving night, was played six days later after three postponements. Baltimore was limited to guided tours Monday and Tuesday after being barred from its facilities for five days.
Griffin described the socially distant remote visits as “abnormal” and said they were not performed at full speed. He believes the lack of full practice contributed to his injury in the second quarter.
“I pulled a hamstring today,” Griffin said. “I’ve never shot a hamstring in my life. You see guys going down left and right.”
Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith left with a groin injury in the second quarter. Defensive end Derek Wolfe, safety DeShon Elliott, offensive tackle DJ Fluker and cornerback Marcus Peters were all injured but returned.
Another issue the Ravens players have had concerns the decision to reopen the team’s facilities. After two Baltimore players tested positive following an overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 22, the NFL shut down the Ravens’ facility on Monday morning before allowing players and coaches to return home on Monday. afternoon. The facility remained open until noon Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Ravens organized a visit with players wearing masks.
“I don’t know what comes with me in saying this, but, of course, Monday and Tuesday we ask ourselves: ‘Why have we been allowed to go back into the building if we say it’s all based on research contacts and things like that ?, and that’s what we were told? ”Chuck Clark told Raven Security.“ We need to look at some of these things. ”
As of November 23, the Ravens have placed a total of 23 players on the reserve / COVID-19 roster to test positive or identified as high-risk close contact. Baltimore (6-5) has seen that number reduced to 17 players now, but had to promote 10 players from the practice squad on Wednesday to complete a list of 48 players.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said it had been an emotional time for the team and everyone was transparent and honest in answering players’ questions.
“I just feel like the league has done its best. We have done our best,” said Harbaugh. “We didn’t beat 1,000; nobody did it. The league didn’t, nobody did it. You can’t beat 1,000 against that thing. But I think our answer, in terms of effort, has been a perfect effort. “
Asked whether any breach of protocol would result in league discipline, Harbaugh said, “Now is not the time to take an accusatory position; this is not the position I would take. I would take the position that I would take. our guys fought like crazy, and I’m proud of what they did. “
Some players have shown symptoms, but no one has become seriously ill, according to Harbaugh. There have been cases where players have transmitted the coronavirus to family members, Griffin said.
“These things are going unreported,” Griffin said. “So when people think, ‘Oh, maybe they just don’t want to play. They just don’t want to do that,’ that’s not it – we love football. To make sure that our families are safe. “
Jackson, who tested positive on Thanksgiving, will end his 10-day quarantine on Saturday. If he was negative, he would be available to play in Tuesday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
“He’s in a good mood,” said Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown, who is a close friend of Jackson. “He told us to go over there and try to win this game. Just wishing a speedy recovery for him.”
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