:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67762477/1229238498.0.jpg)
The Cincinnati Bengals were given another day off Monday after two players tested positive for COVID-19 last Friday during the teams’ bye week.
However, head coach Zac Taylor does anticipate the team to return to practice soon. During his Monday press conference, Taylor stated he anticipates a normal weekly schedule starting Wednesday, per Tyler Dragon of Cincinnati.com.
Zac Taylor anticipates a normal weekly schedule starting Wednesday. The #Bengals had an off day on Monday due to two players testing positive for coronavirus last week.
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) November 9, 2020
Saturday, the Bengals placed both defensive back Trae Waynes and offensive lineman Fred Johnson on the COVID-19 reserve list. Waynes is not going to play since he’s still on the Reserved/Injured list, and Johnson has to wait at least five days and receive two consecutive negative PCR virus tests at least 24 hours apart within that five-day period if he’s asymptomatic.
The positive tests were the first two the Bengals have suffered since resuming Football activities over the Summer, followed by kicking off the season in September. As of now, no other player on the team has tested positive or has been placed on the COVID-19 reserve list for being in close contact with either Johnson or Waynes.
Sunday’s game against the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers is still on, but the Steelers learned that one of their players tested positive for COVID-19 and will soon place him on the COVID-19 reserve list.
Statement from #Steelers Spokesman Burt Lauten: pic.twitter.com/3dfLLzVH6P
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 9, 2020
This could impact whether or not the game is played on time, or the Steelers could just be without that one player if he didn’t infect anyone else on the team.