Ronald Jones: Tampa Bay Buccaneers place running back on Covid-19 list
It is unclear if Ronald Jones had tested positive or had close contact with an infected person; Tampa play the Falcons on Sunday; Elsewhere Baltimore wide receiver Marquise Brown one of three Ravens players moved to reserve/COVID-19 list
Thursday 17 December 2020 11:15, UK
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed running back Ronald Jones II on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday.
The team did not divulge whether Jones had tested positive or come in close contact with an infected person.
Jones, 23, was already questionable for this weekend after surgery Tuesday on his fractured left pinkie finger.
The third-year back was injured while blocking in Sunday's 26-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings but returned to the contest and finished with 18 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown. He is fourth in the NFL with 900 rushing yards in 13 starts this season.
Looking to solidify their playoff chances, the Buccaneers (8-5) face the Falcons (4-9) in Atlanta on Sunday afternoon. Tampa Bay can earn a playoff spot this week with a victory and a tie between the Vikings and Chicago Bears.
If Jones is unavailable Sunday, veteran teammates Leonard Fournette and LeSean McCoy are expected to see more activity.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens have also suffered a setback after wide receiver Marquise Brown was one of a trio of the team's receivers to be placed on their reserve/COVID-19 list.
Brown, who memorably caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson in Monday's 47-42 victory over the Cleveland Browns, joins Miles Boykin and James Proche on the list.
The reserve/COVID-19 list does not necessarily mean a player has tested positive for coronavirus, as it is designed to also identify those who may also have come into contact with an infected person.
However the Ravens are no strangers to coronavirus-related disruption. Last month, Jackson tested positive and their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers was moved three times because of positive tests.
