Bucs announce positive tests, NFLPA tells players not to practice together

Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers;-NFL

A fan waves a Tampa Bay Buccaneers flag. (Margaret Bowles/AP)

As the number of COVID-19 cases in Florida continues to surge, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that at least two Tampa Bay Buccaneers players have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The team confirmed that “individuals” within the organization have tested positive, but did not release any further information due to privacy concerns:

The two unnamed players join a trio of Bucs staff members who tested positive earlier this week, per Schefter.

The impact of the virus on the Florida’s professional sports community has been significant. On Friday, it was announced that three players from the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, along with additional staff members, had tested positive for COVID-19.

As well, the state’s situation recently forced the closure of the Florida-based spring training facilities of the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies.

As of Thursday, the NFL was believed to be pushing ahead with plans to play the 2020 season as scheduled.

However, on Saturday, NFLPA medical director Dr. Thom Mayer released a statement advising that “no players should be engaged in practicing together in private workouts.”

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