Could COVID-19 Outbreak With Titans Hurt Bills’ Season?

The first major hurdle for the NFL season involving the COVID-19 pandemic has happened. The Tennesse Titans have shut down their facility and all players and coaches are working remotely after 3 players and 5 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. Sources are reporting the Minnesota Vikings, who played the Titans on Sunday have also closed their facility.

ESPN's Dianna Russini is reporting the Titans' facility will be closed until at least Saturday.

So what does this mean for the Pittsburgh Steelers who were set to fly to Tennessee for this Sunday's game? I have to assume the likelihood that the Titans would be able to play this weekend without being able to hold in-person practices until Saturday are extremely low. The Titans bye week is scheduled for week seven and the Steelers bye is in week eight. If this game is canceled or postponed when does it get made up?

Furthermore, the Buffalo Bills who are currently 3 - 0 in first place in the AFC East are scheduled to play the Titans in Tennessee week five of the NFL season. There are so many questions as to how this will playout. On one hand, it's kind of amazing that the first outbreak didn't happen until week three but this also means we have no idea how the NFL handles all of this. Will the shut down of the Vikings and Titans facilities stem the outbreak? Will this be a one-week situation or could the Bills - Titans game also be moved or canceled? I don't foresee this causing any talk of canceling or postponing the season but the way the schedules are adjusted will be very interesting.

NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell has released a memo regarding the COVID-19 outbreak within the Titans organization and the steps the league is taking.