The Minnesota Vikings have suspended all in-person activities as a precaution after multiple members of the Tennessee Titans, who the Vikings hosted on Sunday, tested positive for COVID-19.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero says the Titans had three players and five team personnel test positive for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, with the result being both the Titans and Vikings suspending in-person work.
The #Titans had three new player positives and five new personnel positives for COVID-19, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo. Both Titans and Vikings, who hosted them Sunday, will suspend in person club activities starting today.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 29, 2020
Pelissero noted just before 10 a.m. Tuesday that the Vikings were “evacuating” the team’s headquarters at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, though it should be noted that Tuesday is an off day for players. However, ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, who is the pool reporter in the Minneapolis market, said there was a steady stream of players going in and out of the testing facility while she was there around 9 a.m. Tuesday.
FWIW I was out at TCOPC shortly before 9 AM for my COVID test and the time parking lot was full with a steady stream of players and staff going in and out of the testing trailer. Building was being evacuated per a source shortly thereafter. https://t.co/1J2g71vnWe
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) September 29, 2020
The Vikings issued a statement saying no players or team members have tested positive for COVID-19, though additional testing will be ongoing.
“Today the NFL notified us that members of the Tennessee Titans organization have tested positive for COVID-19. As of this morning, we have not received any positive results from Vikings testing following Sunday’s game. Per the NFL protocol, we will suspend in- person club activities and close TCO Performance Center immediately. We will work closely with the NFL and NFLPA to monitor the situation, perform additional testing and determine when the facility can reopen. We will provide further updates regarding this week’s football schedule when appropriate.”
Meanwhile, the NFL has issued a statement:
NFL statement on the #Vikings and #Titans suspending in-person club activities after eight positive COVID-19 cases with the Titans. pic.twitter.com/Fsj8yr0Xz9
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 29, 2020
Per the NFL’s COVID-19 safety protocols, all positive tests are followed by two additional tests to ensure that the initial test wasn’t a false positive. The Titans issued a statement saying they are “in the process” of confirming the tests.
Minnesota is scheduled to play at the Houston Texans this Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
This is a developing story.
