The NFL made every effort to reschedule the Steelers/Titans postponed Week Four game, pushing it back to Week 7, but they may not do the same this weekend if Tennessee’s unable to play the Buffalo Bills. According to ESPN Insider Dan Graziano, it’s possible the team will have to forfeit if the game can’t be played this weekend.
The Titans looked to be turning the corner after two days of no positive tests but two more players tested positive for COVID Wednesday morning, according to Graziano.
That now puts the organization up to 22 total positive tests over the last week. Even if the Titans are able to play, head coach Mike Vrabel said most players who have tested positive over the last week won’t be able to play against the Bills even if the game goes on, forcing the team to rely on call-ups from the practice squad to fill in.
The league continues to investigate if the Titans violated protocols. Yesterday, Adam Schefter hinted at a heavy punishment headed the organization’s way.
“Investigating is what they’re doing in Tennessee, and Tennessee’s going to pay the price for it,” Schefter said. “Tennessee’s in trouble.”
Speaking to reporters this morning, Ben Roethlisberger admitted the Steelers are “getting the short end of the stick” for having their schedule rearranged on short notice.
Overall, this isn’t news Steelers’ fans will want to hear should the Titans indeed forfeit their game against Buffalo. It’s unclear how close that is to reality, one would think the NFL will do everything in their power to avoid setting the precedent of a forfeit, but if they feel Tennessee flouted protocol and lack a good Plan B option, a forfeit could come into play for essentially the first time in NFL history.
