ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio postponed practice Friday after learning one of his offensive lineman has tested positive for COVID-19.
The offensive lineman, along with two other players who were determined to be in close contact with him, are self-isolating at home.
Starting right guard Graham Glasgow confirmed an earlier 9News report that he was the player who tested positive.
"Hey everybody. I appreciate all the well wishes,'' Glasgow stated on his Twitter account. "Feeling pretty good right now. I’m hoping to stay healthy through this and get back out on the field as soon as I can. Until then, stay safe and go Broncos!"
Sources also told 9News the two players determined to be in "close contact" with Glasgow were right tackle Demar Dotson and backup offensive guard Austin Schlottmann.
While Glasgow will be placed on the league's COVID-19 reserve list, Dotson and Schlottmann will not. Instead they will be listed on the injury report Friday. Both players tested negative for the virus on Friday and feel fine, according to sources. If they test negative Saturday they will practice Saturday and play Sunday when the Broncos host the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High with kickoff at 2:05 p.m.
The league was going to allow the team to go through with practice Friday, but Fangio informed his team via Zoom on Friday morning that the team would only conduct virtual meetings and return to the practice field Saturday. The NFL informed 9NEWS the Broncos-Chargers game will go on as scheduled.
The Broncos put out a statement that read:
“We were informed early this morning that a Broncos player has tested positive for COVID-19.
“The player is at home in self-isolation along with two other players who were determined to be close contacts. Our organization, which has been operating under the league’s intensive protocols, is in consultation with the NFL and taking guidance from medical experts.
“As a precaution, we have made the decision to postpone today’s practice and conduct virtual meetings in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Chargers. The team is scheduled to return to UCHealth Training Center for practice tomorrow.
“The health and safety of the players, coaches and staff will continue to be of the highest priority.”
Earlier this week, Broncos offensive line coach Mike Munchak was placed in the COVID-19 protocols and isolating away from team headquarters, although the team did say whether he tested positive or came in close contact with another person infected with coronavirus.
Make no mistake, the virus is hitting the Broncos. Running backs coach Curtis Modkins tested positive for the virus two weeks ago. After quarantining for 9 days, Modkins returned to the facility Monday after all his subsequent re-tests came back negative. Multiple staff employees have also tested positive for the virus in recent weeks.
A league spokesman told 9NEWS the game between the Broncos and Chargers is not in jeopardy, even though an offensive lineman for each team tested positive for the virus this week.
"There have been 70+ instances of a team having a player positive,'' a league spokesman texted 9NEWS. "Isolate that individual, conduct contact tracing and prevent any potential spread."
Schlottmann would be Glasgow's expected replacement at right guard against the Chargers, providing he clears COVID testing Saturday.
Glasgow played four previous seasons with the Detroit Lions before becoming a free agent and signing a four-year, $44 million contract with the Broncos.
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