Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not play on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, per sources informed of the situation. Robert Griffin III, whose last start came against Pittsburgh in a successful Week 17 outing last season, is slated to take over for the reigning league MVP.
Jackson's positive test result deals a huge blow to the club as it continues to see more players and staff members either test positive or be considered close contacts to someone testing positive. To date, the Ravens have placed 10 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list: Jackson, running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins, nose tackle Brandon Williams, defensive ends Calais Campbell and Jihad Ward, quarterback Trace McSorley, outside linebacker Pernell McPhee and offensive linemen Matt Skura and Patrick Mekari. The team also announced Wednesday that a staff member had been disciplined for conduct related to the recent COVID-19 cases.
The Ravens-Steelers game, originally scheduled to be played Thanksgiving night, is still on track to be played at the rescheduled time of 12:15 p.m. Sunday.
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• Larry Fitzgerald Jr. and fellow receiver Trent Sherfield have been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list before the Cardinals' road game against the Patriots on Sunday. Fitzgerald, a Minneapolis native in his 17th NFL season, hasn't missed a regular-season game since 2014.
• Tua Tagovailoa's sore thumb has improved, and Dolphins coach Brian Flores expressed optimism his rookie quarterback will be able to play Sunday against the Jets. Tagovailoa hurt the thumb on his throwing hand in practice and was limited in practice for the second day in a row.
• Sam Darnold was a full participant at practice, putting the Jets quarterback on track to start Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Darnold missed the 0-10 Jets' past two games because of a shoulder injury.
• The Rams placed middle linebacker and leading tackler Micah Kiser on injured reserve Thursday, but coach Sean McVay says the knee injury is not season-ending. Kiser will be out for at least three weeks.
• The Browns placed defensive end Porter Gustin on the reserve/COVID-19 list, further weakening a group already missing star Myles Garrett.
