Mark LoMoglio/Associated Press
At least two Tampa Bay Buccaneers players have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 as the 2020 NFL season approaches.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news Saturday, noting this comes after one of the NFC South team’s coaches tested positive for COVID-19 and two additional assistant coaches were quarantined.
While the offseason had a number of adjustments, including the in-person portion of the NFL draft being canceled, the regular season is still scheduled to start in September.
The Buccaneers released a statement confirming the positive tests and explaining they cleared and sanitized the affected areas. Those who tested positive will also quarantine for 14 days:
Romy Ellenbogen of the Tampa Bay Times noted Florida set a single-day record for positive COVID-19 cases on Thursday, with approximately 21 percent of the new cases coming from the Tampa Bay area.
It was notably disproportionate, as the area accounts for 13 percent of the state’s population.
The NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning confirmed they closed their training facilities because a number of players tested positive for COVID-19.
Positive COVID-19 tests will likely continue to make headlines as team sports work toward returning following the suspensions of play.
Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk noted the Buccaneers became the seventh team in the NFL with a confirmed positive case for a player or coach. They joined the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Washington, Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans.
