Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock is tackled by Carolina Panthers defensive end Austin Larkin and safety Tre Boston on Dec. 13, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos canceled their walkthrough Friday after a staff member at team headquarters tested positive for the coronavirus.
Patrick Smyth, the Broncos’ chief communications officer, tweeted “the team is continuing its normal preparations virtually for Saturday’s game against Buffalo.”
The team didn’t identify the person who tested positive.
The Broncos have canceled four practices or walkthroughs this year because of the coronavirus. They’ve had eight players go on the Covid-19 reserve list for infections and four more for close contact, including kicker Brandon McManus this week.
The three other QBs had failed to wear masks around Driskel earlier that week when they voluntarily went in on their off day for film study.
After that incident, the Broncos signed kicker/punter Taylor Russolino, a 31-year-old rookie, to their practice squad and kept him isolated as their “COVID kicker” should the coronavirus sideline either McManus or punter Sam Martin.
That contingency plan came into play this week when McManus went on the COVID-19 reserve list as a close contact. Because the game against Buffalo is on Saturday, he won’t be back in time to rejoin his teammates for kickoff. So, Russolino will fill in.
In addition to the players who have tested positive for the coronavirus since training camp started, veterans Von Miller and Kareem Jackson were infected in the offseason. The Broncos also have had three assistant coaches and two executives, including GM John Elway, test positive this season.
Defensive coordinator Ed Donatell missed six weeks and spent five days in the hospital during his illness. He is one of two people in the NFL known to have been hospitalized with a severe case of COVID-19.
