ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Much as the NFL and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) try to diminish Omicron, the COVID-19 strain is roaring its revenge.
The Denver Broncos were forced to cancel practice Thursday after five players tested positive for the virus, although one player had a false positive.
The four Bronco players added to the COVID-19 list Thursday: Starting right tackle Bobby Massie, nickel corner Bryce Callahan, backup outside linebacker Stephen Weatherly and core special teamer Mike Ford.
Massie has a capable backup in Cameron Fleming for the game Sunday against the Chargers in Los Angeles. The Broncos will likely move in veteran Kyle Fuller to the nickel position in place of Callahan with Pat Surtain II and Ronald Darby staying on the outside cornerback positions.
This, after four players, including starting receiver Tim Patrick and rookie dime backer Caden Sterns tested positive Wednesday. Practice squad receiver Tyrie Cleveland and backup offensive tackle Calvin Anderson, who is on injured reserve, also tested positive.
Fangio said there were five players who tested positive Thursday, although he said a couple might have had false positives. It turned out one player had a false test result. It was enough for Fangio and the Broncos' COVID people to cancel practice Thursday.
"I just felt we needed to hit the 'pause' button to wrap our hands around what we have here,'' Fangio said during a Zoom video conference call Thursday.
9News reached out to the NFL to inquire whether the league was discussing the possibility of moving back the Broncos-Chargers game this Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles. The response: "None."
Fangio said the players would have virtual meetings Thursday afternoon with hopes of practicing Friday and Saturday before boarding their team charter late Saturday afternoon for Los Angeles, where the Broncos are to play the Chargers in an AFC West Division matchup.
"As my friend (Angels and former Cubs manager) Joe Maddon would say with his baseball team: 'Embrace the suck,' '' Fangio said. "Sometimes it sucks. You have that thought for about five seconds, and you embrace it, and you move forward.
"Our guys have done a great job of that, of adapting all year, especially lately when its become more prevalent. And I expect them to continue.''
The 7-8 Broncos need to win their final two games against the Chargers and Chiefs, plus have seven other games fall their way in order to avoid missing the postseason for a sixth consecutive season.
The Broncos have had 27 players, plus offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, test positive for COVID-19 since Oct. 24.
Those players: Netane Muti, Noah Fant, Justin Strnad, Michael Ojemudia, Austin Schlottmann, Pita Taumoepenu, Garett Bolles, Brett Jones, P.J. Locke, Mike Boone, Seth Williams, Malik Reed, Lloyd Cushenberry III, Malik Reed, Caden Sterns, Tim Patrick, Calvin Anderson, Barrington Wade, Tyrie Cleveland, Jonathan Harris, Mike Purcell, Drew Himmelman, Andre Mintze, Massie, Callahan, Ford and Weatherly.
Stating Omicron is not as severe as previous COVID-19 strands, the CDC and NFL have reduced their mandatory quarantine period from 10 days to five. The reduced isolation period will help the Broncos get back Cushenberry and Purcell back in time for the Chargers' game.
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