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Last night, a little more than a week after Max Scharping was reported to have contracted Coronavirus, it was announced someone else within the Houston Texans organization tested positive for COVID-19. That person ended up being Jacob Martin, Houston’s premier hook zone coverage defender who moonlights as an exterior rusher and is usually devoured by guards on the interior when he rushes from a position he should never rush from.
Texans outside linebacker Jacob Martin has tested positive for COVID-19 and the team will work virtually Thursday as a precautionary measure, according to league sources
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 5, 2020
As a result, the Texans have again closed down operations today. They will continue to prepare for Jacksonville online and try to trace down how and why Martin contracted the virus that has shut down the entire planet.
Texans' statement: 'We were informed last night that a Texans player has tested positive for COVID-19. In consultation with the NFL and medical experts, we have made the decision to close the facility and conduct all operations virtually today'
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 5, 2020
On Sunday afternoon, the Texans face Jake Luton, a rookie sixth round pick from Oregon State, and the Jacksonville Jaguars in a battle to see who gets the upper hand in acquiring a last place schedule next season. Preparing for the league’s worst pass defense just got a little more convoluted. In the meantime, Houston will hope that no one else contracted the virus to prevent delays or wonky rescheduling of their Week 9 game.
UPDATE: Whitney Mercilus and Dylan Cole, by virtue of their close contact with Martin, will also miss Sunday’s game.