The cloud casting a large shadow over the entire 2020 NFL season has been the global pandemic caused by the coronavirus. Despite the success of the NBA and NHL reverting to bubble-style formatting to finish out their respective seasons, the NFL forged ahead with a traditional path and schedule.
And while an expanded playoff contingency plan has been put in place in the event of future cancelations and past games being postponed due to outbreaks, here we are in the middle of November, with full slates being played every weekend.
An outbreak in the Titans facility caused a domino effect of cancelations in Weeks 4 and 5, and notable players like New England's Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore tested positive at some point this season. Head coaches Doug Pederson of Philadelphia and Jon Gruden of Las Vegas were among those to test positive prior to the regular season as well.
Each week, it's been a case of hold your breath and hope your team can play. Let's take a look at the teams affected by COVID-19 as we head into Week 11:
Los Angeles Rams
An unnamed Rams player tested positive, the team announced on Tuesday night. He's the second player on Los Angeles to do so since training camp, and the team is holding practice virtually on Wednesday.
After their win over the Seahawks this past Sunday, head coach Sean McVay gave the team Monday off, and Tuesday is typically a day off anyway. Wednesday was scheduled to be an in-person walk-through before returning to regular-speed practice on Thursday.
The player immediately entered self-quarantine, and fortunately, the Rams do have an extra day of preparation as they'll face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.
New York Giants
Giants kicker Graham Gano tested positive for the virus, and the team identified two other staffers who were in close contact with him. Gano also self-quarantined right away, and the team began contact tracing.
The Giants are coming off an upset win over the Eagles, their second consecutive victory. They're now on their bye week, though they did have Tuesday and Wednesday originally scheduled to work before taking the rest of the week off, but that work is being done remotely.
Guard Will Hernandez also tested positive recently and was forced to miss two games. The Giants return to action Nov. 29 against the Bengals.
Cleveland Browns
Fullback Andy Janovich was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, and the team closed its facility. One day later, it reopened after contact tracing revealed no close contacts.
Janovich is the second Browns player to test positive in as many weeks after Chris Hubbard was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list last week. Baker Mayfield was placed on the list as well more than a week ago during the team's bye week after coming in contact with a staff member who tested positive but was activated after his test came back negative.
The 6-3 Browns are coming off a 10-7 win at home against the Texans in Week 10 and are hosting the Eagles this week.
.svg)
