NFL announces ‘no change’ to Steelers-Ravens game for Thanksgiving despite positive covid-19 tests
Joe Rutter
JOE RUTTER | Monday, November 23, 2020 1:32 p.m.
Barring further positive covid-19 tests in the Baltimore Ravens organization, the Thanksgiving prime-time matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers will be played as scheduled.
In an email to the Tribune-Review on Monday afternoon, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy wrote, “There’s no change to the status of the game.”
The game is scheduled for an 8:20 p.m. kickoff Thursday.
Earlier Monday, the Ravens announced that “multiple members” of the organization had tested positive for covid-19 after the team’s game against the Tennessee Titans. NFL Network reported that running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins have tested positive for covid-19, making them unavailable to play against the Steelers.
“We have started the process of contact tracing, and during this time, the Under Armour Performance Center will be closed with all team activities conducted virtually,” the Ravens said in a statement. “We will continue to work closely with and follow guidance from the NFL, team doctors and our medical trainers.”
The NFL has not changed the date of a scheduled game because of covid-19 since Oct. 11 when several games were postponed or had times changed in the wake of a coronavirus outbreak involving the Tennessee Titans.
The Steelers were the first NFL team affected by the outbreak when their game in Week 4 at Tennessee was pushed back three weeks.
The prime time slot is considered the marquee matchup on Thanksgiving and will be a ratings winner for NBC. The Detroit Lions host the Houston Texans at 12:30 p.m., and the Dallas Cowboys host the Washington Football Team at 4:30.
The Steelers-Ravens game is the only one involving teams with winning records. The Steelers, at 10-0, remain the NFL’s only unbeaten team. The Ravens, with a 6-4 record, are trying to hang onto playoff positioning after losing three of their past four games.
At his press conference Monday, which was held before the Ravens announced the positive tests, Mike Tomlin talked about playing on Thanksgiving for his third time in 14 seasons as Steelers coach.
“That’s not something we take for granted,” he said. “As a young guy, I grew up watching football on the holidays. It’s humbling to provide it for others and to be associated with that and the memories it creates.”
Joe Rutter is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joe by email at
jrutter@triblive.com or via Twitter .
