Due to some coronavirus (COVID-19) issues, the Las Vegas Raiders’ Week 7 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is currently up in the air.
The Raiders have had a rough week of practice coming off their bye as Trent Brown and Damon Arnette both tested positive for coronavirus, forcing the team to send a number of at-risk players that came in contact with them home.
Reports indicate that Brown was not wearing his mandatory tracking device at all times, so protocols forced the Raiders to send their entire offensive line home for five days. Luckily, their five days started on Monday and end on Sunday morning, so they would still be eligible to play against Tampa Bay if there are no more positive tests.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for safety Johnathan Abram as he came in contact with Brown on Tuesday, meaning he must quarantine until Monday, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network:
While the #Raiders O-linemen on the COVID-19 list because they are high-risk close contacts have a chance to play Sunday, sources say that star S Johnathan Abram does not. He’s listed as having contact with Trent Brown on Tuesday & wouldn’t be cleared in time.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 23, 2020
The NFL already moved the game up from Sunday Night Football to the afternoon window in case there is another positive test and they are forced to move the game back to Monday or Tuesday.
While that would obviously be unfortunate, it would allow Abram to potentially be able to play. If Abram is unable to go, that would be a big loss for the Raiders as he has been turning into a true difference-maker on the defensive side of the ball in recent weeks.
A lot can still change before Sunday, but as of now, it seems like the Raiders will be without Abram, Brown and Arnette for the game against the Buccaneers while the rest of the offensive line should be ready to go.