UNDATED (AP) — The Tennessee Titans’ coronavirus outbreak has grown to nine people. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill was among three players added to the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.
General manager Jon Robinson says Tannehill, tight end Geoff Swaim and linebacker Justin March-Lillard are joining four other players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. That makes three Titans starters out, along with coach Mike Vrabel and special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman.
Meanwhile, Bills coach Sean McDermott has expressed frustration with his team’s relatively low vaccination rate while saying there’s little more he can do to persuade his players to get the shot. The Bills are considered to be at the lower end of the NFL scale in having about 80% of their players vaccinated. McDermott’s comments came two days after four unvaccinated Bills players were required to go into five days of self-isolation after having contact with a team trainer who tested positive for COVID-19.
In other NFL news:
— Odell Beckham Jr.’s comeback is closer to completion. The Browns wide receiver took his first snaps in team drills during Thursday’s practice, a major step in his return from season-ending knee surgery. Beckham suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Week 7 last season against Cincinnati and wasn’t a part of Cleveland’s run to the playoffs.
— Giants running back Saquon Barkley participated in 7-on-7 drills for the first time this preseason during the final day of joint practices between the Giants and Patriots. It was the latest step in his nine-plus months of rehabilitation from surgery after he suffered a torn ligament in his right knee.
— Patriots quarterback Cam Newton returned for the first time since what coach Bill Belichick called a “misunderstanding” of NFL COVID-19 protocols last week. Newton is trying to hang onto the starting job as he competes with Mac Jones, who was taken 15th overall in this year’s draft.
