Twenty-two Ravens players have officially been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list since Nov. 23 as the team struggles with a coronavirus outbreak.
The outbreak, which has reportedly infected players, coaches and members of the support staff, has thrice postponed the team’s pivotal matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, now for 3:40 p.m. Wednesday.
The Ravens’ Week 13 game against the Dallas Cowboys has also been moved from Thursday, Dec. 3 to Tuesday, Dec. 8.
The Ravens have returned positive tests every day since their Week 11 game against the Tennesee Titans on Nov. 22, forcing them to place several key starters and contributors on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The list was created for players who either test positive or are exposed to an infected person.
On Wednesday, Nov. 25, the Ravens announced that they had disciplined a staff member for “conduct surrounding the recent COVID-19 cases that have affected players and staff.” According to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, head strength and conditioning coach Steve Saunders did not routinely wear his proximity tracker, which the NFL requires as part of its contact-tracing efforts, and ignored potential COVID-19 symptoms as he worked with players.
Any player who tests positive and is showing symptoms cannot return to practice until it’s been 10 days since symptoms first appeared and 24 hours since he last experienced symptoms. A player who tests positive and is not showing symptoms can return to practice after 10 days have passed since the initial positive test or if he returns two negative tests at least 24 hours apart.
A player who is deemed a “high-risk” close contact must complete a five-day self-quarantine and continue to test negative to return.
Here is a list of players who have landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list amid the outbreak:
Friday, Nov. 20
Quarterback Trace McSorley: The team’s third-string quarterback was placed on the list after missing practice for two consecutive days. When asked on Nov. 20 about McSorley’s absence, Ravens coach John Harbaugh declined to comment and said McSorley was not at practice for a non-injury-related reason. According to ESPN, McSorley is one of several Ravens who have tested positive. McSorley was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Dec. 1.
Monday, Nov. 23
Running back Mark Ingram II: Ingram was placed on the list after Harbaugh confirmed that Ingram was one of two players who tested positive Monday, which prompted the team to briefly close its facility before reopening later in the day. Ingram, who missed two games this season because of an ankle injury, has rushed for 232 yards and two touchdowns.
Running back J.K. Dobbins: Dobbins joined Ingram on the list Monday. The rookie leads all backs on the team with 380 rushing yards and he has scored three times.
Defensive tackle Brandon Williams: Williams landed on the list as a “high-risk” close contact after contact tracing was completed, Harbaugh said. It’s the second time this season Williams has been placed on the list. He was exposed to an infected person outside the organization and missed the team’s Week 6 game against the Philadelphia Eagles while completing his five-day self-quarantine. He was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Dec. 1.
Tuesday, Nov. 24
Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee: McPhee was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and, according to ESPN, has tested positive. Arguably the defense’s top edge-setter, McPhee has recorded 25 tackles and two sacks this season.
Wednesday, Nov. 25
Defensive end Calais Campbell: Campbell was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and on Friday morning confirmed he tested positive, writing on Twitter, “Speaking from experience … you don’t want to catch covid! This virus is brutal! I pray no one else has to go thru this.” Campbell, a member of the NFL Players Association’s executive committee, said before the season that he considered opting out because he has asthma, an underlying condition that increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Campbell, who has missed the last two games because of a calf strain, has 24 tackles and four sacks this season.
Offensive lineman Patrick Mekari: Mekari was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and according to ESPN, has tested positive. Mekari has started three games at right guard this season and once at center.
Offensive lineman Matt Skura: Skura was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and, according to ESPN, has tested positive. Skura started the first nine games of the season at center before he was benched Sunday against the Tennessee Titans in favor of Mekari.
Thursday, Nov. 26
Defensive end Jihad Ward: Ward was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and, according to ESPN, has tested positive. Ward, who has been inactive the last four games, has recorded 12 tackles and one sack this season.
Friday, Nov. 27
Quarterback Lamar Jackson: Jackson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after reportedly returning a positive test during Thursday’s round of testing. The reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, Jackson is the team’s unquestioned leader. He has thrown for 1,948 yards and 15 touchdowns, and he leads the team with 575 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Backup Robert Griffin III is expected to start against the Steelers in place of Jackson.
Fullback Patrick Ricard: Ricard was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and announced Friday that he tested positive for COVID-19. An integral piece of the team’s run-oriented offense, Ricard was named to the Pro Bowl last season.
Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike: Madubuike was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and according to multiple reports, he tested positive for COVID-19. A third-round pick in the 2020 draft, Madubuike had started the team’s last two games because of injuries to Campbell and Williams. He has recorded 11 tackles and one quarterback hit this season.
Long snapper Morgan Cox: Cox was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and according to multiple reports, he tested positive for the virus. A member of the “Wolfpack” with kicker Justin Tucker and punter Sam Koch, Cox is a three-time Pro Bowler and has played in 90 straight regular-season games for the Ravens, dating back to the 2015 season.
Saturday, Nov. 28
Outside linebacker Jaylon Ferguson: Ferguson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He was activated from the list on Monday, Nov. 30, after completing a five-day self-quarantine as a close contact. The second-year player has been a rotational piece on defense, recording 21 tackles and two sacks this season.
Offensive lineman Will Holden: Holden was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and according to NFL Network, he tested positive. A member of the practice squad, Holden in appeared in his first game of the season in Week 11 against the Titans, playing 30 snaps at right tackle.
Offensive lineman D.J. Fluker: Fluker was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He was activated from the list on Monday, Nov. 30, after completing a five-day self-quarantine as a close contact. He has appeared in 10 games this season and has made four starts at right tackle.
Defensive lineman Broderick Washington: Washington was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He was activated from the list on Monday, Nov. 30, after completing a five-day self-quarantine as a close contact. A fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft, Washington has appeared in six games this season and recorded two tackles.
Baltimore Ravens Insider
Cornerback Khalil Dorsey: Dorsey was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He was placed on injured reserve in early November after suffering a shoulder injury and is expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks. Dorsey was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Dec. 1.
Cornerback Tavon Young: Young was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 and was placed on IR. Young was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Dec. 1.
Monday, Nov. 30
Tight end Mark Andrews: Andrews was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and according to ESPN, he tested positive. Andrews, who has Type 1 diabetes, a chronic condition in which the body’s pancreas produces little or no insulin, is the Ravens’ leading receiver (38 catches for 454 yards). Dr. Jay Skyler, the deputy director of clinical research and academic programs at the Diabetes Research Institute, told The Baltimore Sun in June that if Andrews’ blood sugar is well managed, he doesn’t have “any greater risk by having Type 1 diabetes and playing football than anyone else.” Andrews said before the season that he had never considered opting out because of his condition.
Outside linebacker Matthew Judon: Judon was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and according to ESPN, he tested positive. Judon, a Pro Bowler in 2019, has recorded 33 tackles and four sacks this season.
Wide receiver Willie Snead IV: Snead was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and according to ESPN, he tested positive. Snead is third on the team in receptions (28) and yards (379) and is second with three touchdowns.
Cornerback Terrell Bonds: Bonds was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He suffered a knee injury in Week 10 that is expected to sideline him for multiple weeks and was placed on injured reserve.
Baltimore Sun reporter Jonas Shaffer contributed to this article.