The NFL canceled the Thanksgiving night game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens after a series of positive COVID-19 tests.
The postponement of the game, which will now be played on Sunday, was announced Wednesday afternoon. The decision, according to ESPN, came after seven different Ravens players tested positive for the coronavirus in the past three days: running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins, quarterback Trace McSorley, center Matt Skura, guard Patrick Mekari, defensive end Calais Campbell, and outside linebacker Pernell McPhee. None of them will be eligible to play in Sunday’s game.
“This decision was made out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches, and game day personnel and in consultation with medical experts,” the NFL said in a statement.
A number of Steelers players expressed their displeasure at the league’s decision.
Steelers receiver Chase Claypool tweeted, “What a joke,” and tight end Eric Ebron commented, “I’m not gonna lie [NFL] THIS IS BULLSHIT.”
The two other games that are scheduled for Thanksgiving, the Houston Texans against the Detroit Lions and the Washington Football Team against the Dallas Cowboys, will go on as scheduled.
The NFL has canceled or moved 13 games this season for coronavirus-related seasons. The Steelers had their schedule rearranged earlier this season when the Tennessee Titans had a handful of positive tests.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, another receiver for the Steelers, tweeted, “First the NFL takes away our bye week because another team can’t get their Covid situation together, now they take away our Thanksgiving primetime game for the same reason. Smh.”
