Ravens: Jaylon Ferguson tests positive for COVID-19, 3 possible close contacts

The Baltimore Ravens have reportedly had a player test positive for COVID-19 as outside linebacker Jaylon Ferguson missed Friday’s practice as a result.

Ferguson was held out of practice after testing positive, per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. A number of other Ravens players missed practice with reports indicating that three of them were held out due to them being possible close contacts.

Although official confirmation from the team has not come in yet, those three players seem to be defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, outside linebacker Justin Houston, and inside linebacker Chris Board.

All three players did not practice on Friday but did not receive injury designations. The same is true for outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, but reports indicate that he was just given a veteran day off as he usually is on Fridays.

Depending on each of the players’ vaccination statuses and the results of the contract tracing, the Ravens could be without a number of players this Sunday.

The Ravens will be without Jaylon Ferguson and possibly others in Week 3

Per NFL guidelines, players who are vaccinated can NOT be deemed high-risk close contacts. That means that if Madubuike, Houston, and Board are vaccinated, they won’t be at risk to miss a game unless they test positive.

But if they are unvaccinated, they will be forced to quarantine if they are deemed high-risk contacts and will miss this week’s game.

Vaccinated players who are considered close contacts are still subject to daily testing in the immediate five days after the initial contact, but as long as they don’t test positive, they aren’t subject to miss any additional game or practice time.

As for Ferguson, however, he will miss this Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions.

If he’s vaccinated, he will be permitted to return to the team facility after two negative COVID-19 tests 24 hours apart. If he’s unvaccinated, then he would be required to quarantine for at least 10 days before he could possibly return.

It’s unclear what any of their vaccination statuses are.

If any of Madubuike, Houston, or Board can’t go this Sunday, the Ravens might be forced to promote a few players from their practice squad. Players like Kahlil McKenzie, Chris Smith, and Josh Bynes seem to be likely candidates.

One thing is certain, however. And that’s that the Ravens will be without Jaylon Ferguson.

We wish him a speedy recovery.

*Update: John Harbaugh told reporters that he isn’t allowed to comment on COVID-related matters and indicated that the team hasn’t placed any players on the COVID-19 list yet*