NFL postpones Thanksgiving Ravens-Steelers game to Sunday due to COVID-19 concerns

The NFL's Thanksgiving Day plate just became a little lighter.

After multiple Baltimore Ravens tested positive for COVID-19 this week, the league moved Thursday night's game between the Ravens and undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers to Sunday. The game will be played at 1:15 p.m. ET and broadcast nationally on NBC.

The decision marks the first time since Week 5 that the league has postponed a game due to COVID-19 concerns.

On Monday, coach Jim Harbaugh revealed that running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins had tested positive for COVID-19. According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, five more players - quarterback Trace McSorley, defensive end Calais Campbell, outside linebacker Pernell McPhee and offensive linemen Matt Skura and Patrick Mekari - also tested positive this week. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that the team "severely limited" along the offensive line with players ruled out due to close contact to those who had tested positive.

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The Ravens now face a short turnaround next week with a game against the Dallas Cowboys next Thursday.

"We appreciate the NFL for its diligence in working closely with us to ensure the well-being of players, coaches and staff from both the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers organizations," the Ravens said in a statement after the announcement. "Protecting the health and safety of each team, in addition to our communities at large, is of utmost importance. We will continue to follow guidance from the NFL and its medical experts, as we focus on safely resuming preparations for Sunday’s game."

Several Steelers players, including wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool, tight end Eric Ebron and backup quarterback Devlin Hodges, took to Twitter to express their displeasure with the decision.

Pittsburgh previously had its schedule disrupted when, in light of the Tennessee Titans' outbreak, the league moved the Steelers' bye week from Week 8 to Week 4. The reconfiguration also shifted the Steelers' previous meeting with the Ravens back one week. Pittsburgh held on for a 28-24 victory.