Cardinals leaving on jet plane after New York’s COVID-19 positive
Oct 9, 2020, 2:42 PM | Updated: 4:55 pm
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Arizona Cardinals looks on prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Dan Kubus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dan Kubus/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals remained on schedule to board a 3 p.m. Friday flight to New Jersey with the expectation they will play the New York Jets on Sunday morning.
Wheels up. We have liftoff on @AZCardinals Red Bird One for #AZvsNYJ
— Paul Calvisi (@PaulCalvisi) October 9, 2020
At that time, the Jets were awaiting results of a follow-up coronavirus test to confirm if one player who tested positive has COVID-19. New York reportedly sent its players and coaches home and did not practice Friday after the initial positive test.
“As of now it’s business as usual,” Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said at noon Friday. “We’re heading out today and getting ready to play on Sunday until told otherwise.”
Arizona, which is coming off a two-game losing streak, was looking forward to its 10 a.m. kickoff against the 0-4 Jets.
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Players who spoke to reporters Friday morning said the news of the positive test was not distracting.
“I have a tattoo on my shoulder that says, ‘Each day is not promised,'” said safety Budda Baker, who did not play last week due to a thumb injury. “Right now, we’re here, we’re practicing, we’re working with each other. That’s all we’re thinking about. Can’t think about anything of the future.
“Right now, it’s Friday, just got done with practice, going to have our meetings and head off to New York like it’s any other week.”
But the news of the positive coronavirus test was concerning, Kingsbury said, because the team is anxious to shake off its 31-21 loss to the Carolina Panthers last week.
“I think this week particularly, all of us want to get back on the field,” Kingsbury said. “We were champing at the bit to get back after it, so when you hear that (news of a positive test) initially it’s like, ‘Oh, no.’
“We want to get back out there. And then you settle in and realize you can only control what you can control.”
Later Friday afternoon, the Jets released a statement that said all players, coaches and team personnel had tested negative.
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