Despite what Vikings trainer Eric Sugarman referred to as “moderate risk contacts” with Tennessee Titans players who were infected with COVID-19 on Sunday in Minneapolis, no Vikings players or staff have tested positive for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
“We will return to the facility tomorrow as a team and we will return with very enhanced protocols,” Sugarman said Wednesday during a Zoom call with reporters.
The Vikings found out about the Titans players and staff – nine people in total so far – had tested positive. The Vikings, fortunately, have not had any positive tests yet.
“We’ve had zero positives so far from this event,” said Sugarman, noting that coaches and personnel from the Vikings were more involved in “moderate risk contact” with infected members of the Titans, though he declined to say how many Vikings players/coaches had close contact.
The Titans-Steelers game that was scheduled for Sunday has now been postponed, but there are no plans at this point to postpone or adjust Sunday’s noon kickoff between the Vikings and Texans in Houston.
“As I know right now, yes, we’re scheduled to get on that plane Saturday and play,” said GM Rick Spielman.
“We will return to the facility tomorrow, and we will return with very enhanced protocols,” said Sugarman. Players can be admitted to the building after taking a nasal swab test, so long as it comes back negative (results take about 20 minutes).
Sugarman noted that if a player or two tests positive the Vikings will likely be able to “mitigate” it and practice the rest of the week. According to the CDC, symptoms and positive tests can appear 2-14 days after contracting the virus, though Sugarman said the “sweet spot” is in the 3-5 day range.
