PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The pandemic has created a new reality for everyone, and the NFL is learning first hand about the effects of COVID-19.
Over the past few weeks, several NFL teams have had players or team personnel test positive for the virus.
One game has already been postponed and several others have been switched to different days, and there is a tremendous amount of uncertainty around the league as far as the future of the season.
The Eagles are getting ready for their game in Pittsburgh on Sunday, and Doug Pederson is trying to keep his players focused on football as the league continues to deal with COVID-19 issues.
"My concern is our players and my staff and making sure that we are adhering to the protocols," said Pederson. "If I worry about that, honestly, my stress level will go through the roof already. I just want to focus and make sure that our guys are doing the right thing."
The Eagles received a scare before the season when both Pederson and tackle Lane Johnson tested positive. Both were able to return to the NovaCare Complex when their quarantine was completed.
There have been no known positive tests within the Eagles organization since the regular season started.
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"We just have to be diligent with how we approach each day," Pederson said. "The testing protocols, the wearing of the masks. You see us at practice, coaches and players are wearing their mask or sort of those neck gaiters. It's just a matter of us taking care of us."
The Eagles’ season may be affected even if no one in the organization tests positive. The Steelers had an unscheduled week off before this weekend's game against the Eagles after positive tests with the Titans forced a postponement of their game against Tennessee.
The Titans' game against Buffalo Sunday was moved to Tuesday, forcing the Bills to move their Thursday night game with the Chiefs to the following Sunday.
The positive tests have created a domino effect for several other teams around the league.
"They are out of our control," said Pederson. "We know and I know that somewhere this season, it's going to directly affect us, whether it's in our building or it affects a game that we are going to play."
There is always a chance the Eagles will get through their season uninterrupted. Pederson has made it clear that his players appear to be following all of the rules in place when it comes to the pandemic.
He also believes the recent rash of positive tests is serving as a stark reminder to the entire league that the virus is not going away anytime soon.
"I do think that it’s a little bit of a wakeup call for the entire league for coaches and players to maintain the protocols that are in place," Pederson said. "Everything that we started way back when camp began to now, we’ve got to maintain that."