Report: 'A Group' of Ravens Unhappy with NFL over Handling of Steelers Game

Featured ColumnistNovember 30, 2020

A Baltimore Ravens helmet sits on the field before an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)

Zach Bolinger/Associated Press

The NFL was met with resistance from some members of the Baltimore Ravens regarding Wednesday's rescheduled game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported a wildcat strike by Ravens players was on the table if the game wasn't postponed again. The Baltimore Sun's Jonas Shaffer added that "there's a group of Ravens unhappy about having to play Tuesday, given how everything's been handled."

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the league has moved the AFC North clash back a day from Tuesday to Wednesday. The Washington Post's Mark Maske followed up to report the Ravens were "all good" with the new date.

CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora provided more context:

Jason La Canfora @JasonLaCanfora
moving game back another day allows for more testing to be done to quell some concerns - if testing numbers go as league expects. NFL believes the outbreak has subsided

The Steelers will now play the Washington Football Team on Dec. 7, per the Pittsburgh Post Gazette's Gerry Dulac, because of the most recent Ravens postponement.

✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content

Aditi Kinkhabwala @AKinkhabwala
Every #COVID schedule change is made w/ containing spread/health as the priority, not competitive balance. But the ? I’m hearing now is: what happens when the collateral damage of a 3rd schedule change ruins any chance of the #Steelers’ competitive balance in its NEXT game?

Baltimore and Pittsburgh were originally slated to play on Thanksgiving. A COVID-19 outbreak within the Ravens' organization has cast doubt over whether the game will happen at all.

Should the two teams step onto the field, the Ravens will be doing so after having had their preparations significantly disrupted. Per Schefter and Jamison Hensley, the NFL canceled Baltimore's Monday practice, meaning the team hasn't had a full workout since a 30-24 overtime defeat to the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 22.

Jamison Hensley @jamisonhensley
Ravens' COVID-19 outbreak ... -9 straight days of at least one positive test -22 players over last nine days who have either tested positive or been identified as high-risk contact -At least a dozen players who have tested positive

And that's to say nothing of the players who will be unavailable because of the COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Ravens announced Monday they activated Jaylon Ferguson, D.J. Fluker, Broderick Washington and Iman Marshall from the reserve/COVID-19 list but added Mark Andrews, Matthew Judon and Willie Snead IV. Those three have appeared in all 10 of the team's games, with Andrews and Snead sitting first and third in receiving.

Assuming they're able to play at all, the Ravens will be short-handed when they face off against their division rivals.