If it were November for the Tennessee Titans, this COVID-19 outbreak would have been an embarrassing catastrophe. But unlike last season, when a swath of infections inside the franchise showered the team with scorn, the cascading blame would have spilled over and splashed others.
This time, the suits in New York would be soaked in responsibility, too, from commissioner Roger Goodell on down.
Reportedly nine Titans players as of Thursday were COVID-positive, as well as an infected head coach in Mike Vrabel. That is the kind of outbreak that would threaten to cancel a regular-season game if it transpired just a few weeks from now.