Atlanta Falcons shut down practice facility after positive COVID-19 tests

The NFL’s Atlanta Falcons shut down their practice facility Thursday after four positive tests for COVID-19, with the team working remotely as a precaution.

The decision comes after the winless Falcons placed defensive tackle Marlon Davidson on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday.

Atlanta’s game in Minnesota against the Vikings is still scheduled to be played Sunday afternoon on Fox.

The NFL has been forced to postpone several games this season due to positive COVID-19 tests, most recently involving the Tennessee Titans, which had a total of 24 positive tests within the organization. The undefeated Titans resumed play Tuesday night, blowing out the Bills in Nashville, 42-16.

The league also postponed a Week 5 matchup between Denver and New England after several Patriots, including quarterback Cam Newton, tested positive. Newton was reactivated on Wednesday.

Other sports leagues have successfully carried out their seasons and postseasons, with the NHL completing its playoffs in two “bubble cities” in Toronto and Edmonton, and no positive cases since the league resumed play in late July.

The NBA has also avoided any coronavirus-related work stoppages while playing in a bubble on the Walt Disney World sports campus in Orlando, Fla.

Major League Baseball, which has played games in home stadiums around the country since the league resumed play on July 23, dealt with two outbreaks early on with the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals. The outbreaks led both teams to postpone several games, but the league has since seen few cases and game postponements.