Will Raiders Lose Another Sunday Night Football Appearance Because Of COVID-19 Problems? So Far, Raiders-Chiefs Game At Allegiant Stadium Still Set For Prime Time
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
Here we go again.
The Las Vegas Raiders lost a juicy Sunday prime time football broadcast Oct. 25 because of players on the COVID-19 list. The Raiders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game was switched to 1 PM from the coveted national broadcast on Sunday Night Football on NBC.
Will the same happen this week for the scheduled Raiders vs. Kansas City Chief Sunday Night Football game, set for 5:20 PM at Allegiant Stadium after the Raiders added seven players to the COVID-19 list Wednesday? There are now 11 players on the Raiders COVID list after defensive end Clelin Ferrell went on the list this week as a coronavirus positive case. He will not play Sunday when the Chiefs and their star quarterback Patrick Mahones are scheduled to play the Raiders after the defending Super Bowl champs lost to the Raiders in Kansas City during Week 5.
Safety Johnathan Abram and six other defensive players went on the COVID-19 list as high-risk close contacts to Ferrell. Defensive back Lamarcus Joyner was also already on the COVID-19 list.
As of Wednesday night, the Raiders-Chiefs game is still slated for Sunday night.
The Raiders COVID-19 woes come at a time when the NFL is stepping up COVID-19 protocols. Raiders coach Jon Gruden was asked about that today.
“Well obviously the world is in a state right now where that’s a great decision. It impacts everything just like it impacts this press conference. You do a lot of Zoom meetings. You have to adapt to the rules. You have to keep safety paramount. That’s what we’re doing. I tip my hat to leadership for making all teams to abide by that,” Gruden said Wednesday.
The NFL is stiffening the rules around wearing masks and social distancing as America’s richest sports league forges ahead as novel coronavirus infection cases increase around the country and cities and counties are beefing up restrictions.
“I’m just thankful for playing here, football,” Gruden said. “I’m thankful that I keep hearing that someone is coming closer and closer to the cure for this virus. I’m just kind of happy we’re able to be together and play football and compete. Hopefully bring a little joy to somebody out there. I’m just thankful for my family. Thankful for the God upstairs. Thankful for the opportunities that He’s given us.”
