PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- The NFL is trying to play on as they manage positive coronavirus tests with the Tennessee Titans and others.
League Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills told NFL Network, "We’ve said all along we know this is gonna be hard. This virus is a relentless opponent. It needs only a small crack. And even 90% or 95% compliance with our protocols is not enough. It’s not a passing grade, because that still leaves us a bit vulnerable."
The Associated Press reports the NFL’s investigation of the Titans found many possible violations of protocol.
Asked about potentially pausing the season for a week or implementing in-market bubbles, Sills said, "We’ve said all along every option’s on the table. We’ve never taken any option off the table, which includes, as you said, some type of pause or reset, and any other kind of alternative arrangements."
It’s not clear how likely either scenario is as the league tries to prevent COVID-19 spread.
Coaches such as the Eagles' coach Doug Pederson and the Vikings' Mike Zimmer, and players such as Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, Miami’s Ryan Fitzpatrick and Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield reacted to the Titans outbreak, as well as Patriots corner Stephon Gilmore testing positive.
In the meantime, Eagles corner Darius Slay made headlines when talking about getting through the season.
"It’s not gonna be easy man. It gonna take all of us," he said. "We shouldn’t have had one, but it is what is. We’ll go to work and get it done. If there’s a way for that we can play, I’m gonna play."
Minutes later, Slay clarified his statement, saying that’s the way he felt in the off-season before learning of the protocols.
"I was basically saying, when it first came out .... Clearly, like, the Eagles have been doing a great job of protecting us," he said. "I’m OK playing. Like I said, the Eagles probably have it the most safest it’s been. I feel most safe here than anythin besides my house, my home."
MLB was able to get through COVID-19 outbreaks. The question is can the NFL do the same.