Currently the NFL, the National Football League, is in its ninth week of play. Multiple teams have reported at least one positive COVID-19 case since the 2020 season has started. Some of these positive tests have resulted in postponed games. Multiple teams have also experienced injuries which has changed the speed and effectiveness of their game.

The NFL’s first major Coronavirus outbreak was within the Tennessee Titans . The Tennessee Titans suffered 24 positive cases, of those 24, 13 were players. Their team had to close their facilities for 11 days. They also had to reschedule two of their season games. Because of this, the NFL played its second Tuesday game in 74 years.

Because there was a huge outbreak of Coronavirus, the NFL Players Association conducted an investigation in order to figure out the source of the outbreak. It was found that most protocols were not being followed including wearing masks at appropriate times and properly communicating about off-site workouts and gatherings.

The NFL fined the Tennessee Titans $350,000.00 for their violations. They also fined individual players more based on their disregard for the protocols. The NFL also warned the rest of the organization that if the protocols were not being followed, it could result in forfeits instead of rescheduling games, as well as the loss of draft picks.

Cam Newton, quarterback for the New England Patriots, tested positive. He tested positive two days before the game versus the Kansas City Chiefs, during week four. The game was rescheduled for later in the week. Newton was out, on the reserve list, for a couple weeks before retuning to play in week six against the Denver Broncos.

There have been multiple injuries throughout the season. Multiple sports analysists have speculated about why so many of these injuries are occurring. Some of these possible reasons include a longer offseason, no preseason games, and the slower return to contact play.

Some of the more major injuries include: Dak Prescott, quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, is out with a compound right ankle fracture. He will be out for the rest of the season. Michael Trubisky, quarterback for the Chicago Bears, is out with a right shoulder injury. He will not require surgery, but he will be undergoing rehab. Ezekiel Elliot is questionable to play this week against the Steelers with a hamstring injury. Jimmy Garoppolo, quarterback for the San Francisco 49-ers, is out with an ankle injury. He is expected to return week fourteen. George Kittle, a tight end for the 49-ers, is out with a foot injury and isn’t expected to return until week sixteen. Nick Bosa, a defensive end for the 49-ers, is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL. David Moore, a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, is questionable to play this week with an ankle injury.

These are just some of the major injuries in the NFL currently. There are many other injuries, along with many questionable injuries for the coming week. All of these injuries have caused teams to make changes to their way of play, in order to compensate for the loss of certain players.

Tennessee Titan fan, James, is disappointed in his team because they disregarded the protocols for Coronavirus. “I don’t understand why they disregarded the protocols.” James says, “They put their safety at risk, but they also put their season at risk.” James hopes that because of the fine, the Titans will start to follow the protocols and understand the weight of their decisions.

A San Francisco 49-er fan, Manny, is upset about the way his team’s season is going so far. “We’ve experienced so many injuries so far this season.” He continues, “This was supposed to be our season to dominate the game.” He hopes the rest of the season goes well and he hopes next season will actually be their season.