Outside linebacker Justin Houston became the latest Ravens player to land on the reserve-COVID-19 list as the organization’s virus concerns continued on Monday.
Though modified testing protocols may accelerate any asymptomatic vaccinated player’s return, the 32-year-old was placed on the COVID-19 list in Week 3 after being deemed a close contact, a designation reserved only for unvaccinated players. Any player who hasn’t been vaccinated must isolate away from the team for 10 days after testing positive for the virus.
Houston has collected 4 1/2 sacks and 17 quarterback hits in 13 games this season.
One of 47 NFL players to be placed on the list on Monday, Houston joins safety Chuck Clark, cornerbacks Chris Westry and Jimmy Smith, wide receiver Sammy Watkins, and center Trystan Colon as players from the 53-man roster to be sidelined by positive tests over the last week. Running back Nate McCrary and wide receivers Jaylon Moore and Binjimen Victor are on the practice squad version of the COVID-19 list. The Ravens say they’re currently taking extra precautions in hopes of preventing additional positive tests over the next few days.
“What we’re in right now is some sort of an intensive protocol on some level, but we’re not testing everybody daily,” head coach John Harbaugh said in his Monday video call with reporters. “That’s not what we’re doing. We have to wear masks. We have to meet virtually for the next two days and wear masks for the next two days, and then I think they’re going to see where we’re at after that. We’re happy with that. We don’t have any problem doing that at all. We try to stay as safe as we can and see where we go from there.”
Should Houston be unavailable for Sunday’s critical AFC North clash with the Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens could have a solid replacement after designating veteran edge defender Pernell McPhee to return to practice from injured reserve. McPhee, 33, underwent a cleanup scope on his troublesome knee last month and hasn’t played since the Week 10 loss at Miami.
