Bears cleared to reopen facility after another positive COVID-19 test

The Chicago Bears were cleared to resume football activities Friday after being forced to close their building Thursday in response to another player testing positive for COVID-19, the team announced.

Center Cody Whitehair was the player who tested positive, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The Bears were already in the NFL's intensive protocol after two other offensive linemen, Jason Spriggs and Germain Ifedi, were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.

Spriggs reportedly tested positive, while Ifedi was classified as a high-risk close contact.

"Today's practice has been canceled and all meetings will be conducted virtually," Chicago said in a statement. "The player who tested positive and all close contacts have been contacted and have already begun self-isolation. We will continue to work closely with the NFL medical experts and follow the league's intensive protocol. The health and safety of our team, players and staff are the highest priority."

The Bears are slated to face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Tennessee had the NFL's first major coronavirus outbreak earlier in the season, with over 20 players and personnel infected.

With Tennessee's bye week already pushed forward to help reschedule its games amid the outbreak, the NFL could face issues finding a date for Titans-Bears if the game can't be played Sunday.

The league has reportedly considered adding a Week 18 to the end of the regular season to play any outstanding matchups postponed for COVID-19-related reasons.

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