Texas Tech Athletics Announces Six Active Cases Among Football Players

LUBBOCK, TX – Texas Tech University announced 28 active COVID-19 cases among student athletes, six of which are football players, according to an update by the schools athletics department on Monday.

Due to COVID -19 Big 12 teams are required by conference protocols to test all players and personnel three times a week during the 2020 football season.

Tech said three football players previously tested positive on Sept. 6, with two more testing positive on Wednesday Sept. 9, and none reported on Friday the 11.

As required, players who test positive must be isolated for at least 10 days to protect against any further spreading of the coronavirus.

The numbers TTU released on Monday do not include an unspecified additional number of individuals who must quarantine after having come into close contact with someone who  tested positive.

During Texas Tech’s season-opening 35-33 victory on Saturday against Houston Baptist, at least a dozen Red Raiders were not suited up who likely would have played under normal circumstances.

However, this number could possibly include two unnamed players who have previously opted out of playing this 2020 season.

Tech released a policy last week stating that it will now classify these players this season as “unavailable” and will not answer any further questions regarding their absences.

In a COVID-19 update the school released on Sept. 2, Texas Tech said it had 12 active cases among football players at the time, including four players who tested positive on Aug. 26, and an additional seven on Aug. 30.

The university has been conducting COVID-19 testing on athletes, coaches and staff since students were allowed to return to campus back in mid-June.

Monday’s update by the university indicates zero hospitalizations with an estimated 2,861 tests that have been conducted since June including 116 positives.

In addition to the six active cases among football players, Texas Tech now shows 69 football players and five football coaching staff members as recovered.

The Red Raiders have an open schedule this week and start Big 12 conference play by hosting #9 ranked Texas at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 26.

In addition to the football program, Texas Tech also announced 156 COVID-19 tests among other athletic departments over the past seven days have netted to an additional 21 positives cases.

Among these other athletic departments there are currently 22 active cases among student athletes and four among staff members.