Report: Titans Face Possible Fine After NFL Investigation into COVID-19 Outbreak

The Tennessee Titans may receive a fine for COVID-19 violations but reportedly will not lose draft picks or forfeit any games following the outbreak within the organization. 

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the news Monday, noting no individual players are facing disciplinary action following a review by the NFL and the league's players association. Among the issues discovered were poor communication regarding workouts outside of the team facility and failures to wear masks when required. 

The Titans cooperated with the review and were presented with the findings when it was complete.

ESPN's Adam Schefter also reported the news, echoing the developments that no individuals will be punished even though the team is likely facing a fine.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports noted 23 players and staff members were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the outbreak, and the team facility was closed for 16 days.

However, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told a CBS broadcast the Titans didn't "willingly" violate protocols, according to La Canfora. That apparently mattered. As Schefter reported Saturday, the organization was not expected to be punished as harshly as some initially believed.

"The league is trying to be reasonable here," one source told Schefter. "They're taking intent and motive into account. They're backing off the Titans."

There was something of a narrative that the Titans were overcoming adversity as they returned to the field, especially during Tuesday's nationally televised win over the Buffalo Bills. As La Canfora shared, one general manager was not pleased:

"All of a sudden the Titans win a game on national television and now it's like all is forgiven? If that's what they do, it's total (BS). They weren't following the rules. They had an outbreak that kept growing and it forced how many other teams to move around and adjust? We weren't even affected by it and I'm pissed off. I couldn't believe what I heard Tuesday night and neither could my owner."

Tennessee's Week 4 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers was moved to Week 7, while its Week 5 game against the Bills was moved to a Tuesday. That caused a chain reaction for the Bills' and Steelers' schedules, with Pittsburgh being forced into an early Week 4 bye as well.

Despite the outbreak, the Titans are 5-0 and sit atop the AFC South. They face the undefeated Steelers at Nissan Stadium in a key AFC showdown Sunday.