Source: NFL plans on game after Titans' outbreak

Dianna Russini explains the possible origin of the Titans' coronavirus outbreak and why she doesn't anticipate Tennessee playing its Week 4 game against Pittsburgh. (2:41)

The Tennessee Titans have closed their facilities until Saturday after three players and five team personnel members tested positive for the coronavirus, the NFL announced Tuesday.

The three players -- starting nose tackle DaQuan Jones, long snapper Beau Brinkley and practice squad tight end Tommy Hudson -- have all been placed on the Reserve-COVID 19 list.

While no official decision has yet been made about the Titans' game Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Nashville, the NFL wants and intends to have that game played as scheduled, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

One of the contingency plans to allow for additional testing and contact tracing to occur would be to move the game to Monday night, a source told ESPN.

The eight new positive tests for the Titans have been confirmed after additional testing, a source told ESPN's Kevin Seifert. Those who tested positive have been asymptomatic as of Tuesday morning, a source told ESPN's Dan Graziano.

"This is not unexpected," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote Tuesday to the chief executives and presidents for every team in a memo, which was obtained by ESPN. "There will be players and staff who will test positive during the season."

The Titans, citing an "abundance of caution," issued a statement saying they halted in-person work Tuesday. The Minnesota Vikings, who played the Titans on Sunday, also have closed their facility indefinitely, though the team said there were no positive tests through Tuesday morning.

"Out of the abundance of caution, the organization has decided to work remotely today as we follow NFL protocols related to the COVID-19 virus," the Titans' statement said.

Although the facility is closed, players are still able to do drive-through testing.

League contact tracing identified 48 close contacts with the eight members of the Titans organization who tested positive, sources told Graziano. Contingency and rescheduling plans are being discussed for both teams, sources told ESPN.

The NFL issued a statement saying both the Titans and Vikings are working with the league and the NFLPA and medical officials "to evaluate close contacts, perform additional testing and monitor developments ... with health and safety as our primary consideration."

Team sources confirmed to ESPN that the Titans will prepare for this week's game primarily through virtual film study meetings.

The Steelers also issued a statement saying they've been in contact with the NFL about the Titans' positive tests.

"We have been informed to proceed with our game preparations for Sunday's game until we are informed otherwise," the Steelers' statement said. "We will provide more information when available."

The Vikings' next game is Sunday at the Houston Texans.

Goodell's memo said all players and staff who have tested positive will be isolated and monitored, and their family members will also be offered testing as well.

In addition, the officiating crew that worked Sunday's game -- headed by referee Clete Blakeman -- will be tested daily for COVID-19 this week and, out of an abundance of caution, will not work a game in Week 4. The NFL always has at least one crew on a bye each week.

"Each of us has a special responsibility to keep others safe and healthy," Goodell said in the memo obtained by ESPN. "What each of us does affects not only ourselves and our immediate families, but many others on our own club and on other clubs."

The NFL said it is "exploring in more detail" where contacts were made -- "locker room, flights, etc." -- in hopes of sharing any learned information with all teams.

The Titans were without outside linebackers coach and defensive playcaller Shane Bowen for Sunday's game against the Vikings because of the COVID-19 protocol. Bowen was placed in protocol after getting test results back Saturday before the team left for Minnesota.

The team was already without offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson, who was placed into the COVID-19 protocol earlier this month. Coach Mike Vrabel had said he hoped Wilson could return to the practice field this week.

Jones, a defensive team captain, started all three games this season. playing 120 snaps (61.5%) on defense primarily as a run stopper. Brinkley has been the long snapper in every game for the Titans since 2012.

Players who test positive for COVID-19 and remain asymptomatic can return 10 days after the test or after five days with two consecutive negative tests within a five-day period. Those who show symptoms can return 10 days after the symptoms first appear and 72 hours have passed since any symptoms have ended.

All players who test positive must be cleared by the team's physician and undergo cardiac testing.

Teams are able to conduct contact tracing by way of a small PPE device that is worn by players and team personnel. Anyone who was in contact with those that tested positive will have additional testing available to them.

The Titans on Tuesday added running back D'Onta Foreman and defensive back Maurice Smith to their practice squad.

ESPN's Turron Davenport and Courtney Cronin contributed to this report.