Ravens Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey disclosed on Nov. 2 that he has tested positive for COVID-19, one day after he played in the Ravens’ 28-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“We were informed early this morning that a Ravens player has tested positive for COVID-19,” the team said in a statement. “He immediately began to self quarantine, and our organization is now in the NFL’s intensive protocol.
“In coordination with the league, we have started the process of contact tracing and are following the guidelines of intensive protocol,” the statement continued. “The health and safety of our players, staff and community continue to be our highest priority. We will continue to work closely with the NFL and our team doctors and will follow their guidance.”
The team did not reveal the identity of the player who tested positive, but on his Twitter feed, Humphrey wrote, “I got the Rona hopefully I’ll be back healthy soon.”
The Ravens (5-2) are scheduled to play at Indianapolis Nov. 8.
Humphrey is the first Raven to have tested positive since the season began. Defensive lineman Brandon Williams was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list before Week 6. According to the team, Williams had not tested positive but had been in close contact with someone who tested positive, which is the other reason for being placed on that reserve list. Williams did not play in the Ravens’ Week 6 game at Philadelphia.
Practice squad safety Nigel Warrior began training camp on the reserve/COVID-19 list but was removed from it in August.
Humphrey had missed practice on Wednesday, Oct. 28, with what described as an illness, but he returned to practice the next two days and played against the Steelers Nov. 1. Players are tested daily. Humphrey’s positive test was taken Sunday, according to NFL Network, which means he played while infectious.
The Steelers announced Nov. 2 that they had no positives in their testing done on Nov. 1.
The NFL began game-day testing in Week 6.
The Ravens will place Humphrey on the reserve/COVID-19 list and can replace him on the 53-man roster. How soon Humphrey can return will depend whether he is symptomatic and the result of further testing.
According to NFL COVID protocols, if he is asymptomatic, he can return after 10 days have passed since the initial positive test or after five days since the initial positive test plus two straight negative tests at least 24 hours apart.
If Humphrey is symptomatic, he can return after at least 10 days have passed since symptom onset and at least 72 hours after he last experienced symptoms.
Humphrey has been one of the Ravens’ top players this season, with 40 tackles, four forced fumbles, 2.5 sacks and an interception. He has created turnovers in four of the Ravens’ five wins, with two of them being forced fumbles that were returned for touchdowns.
UPDATE: Head coach John Harbaugh said at his news conference Nov. 2 that Humphrey won’t play against the Colts Nov. 8. He said the Ravens will meet virtually throughout the week and practice as they normally do in preparation for their game in Indianapolis.
“We’ve had a plan in place. We’ve already started. Had virtual meetings already today with the guys, so we’re rolling,” Harbaugh said. “We plan to have a great week of preparation, and we plan to be ready to play the game on Sunday.”
Harbaugh said he learned of Humphrey’s positive test at about 6 a.m. the morning of Nov. 2. The league is now sorting through the contact tracing process, according to Harbaugh.
“Wherever that might lead us, we’ll see,” Harbaugh said. “We’re pretty optimistic about that at this point, but you never know. It’s 2020. We’ll take it as we find it.”
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