OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Baltimore Ravens striker Sam Koch is not expected to play the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, ending the NFL’s third consecutive streak of active games at 239.
Koch is on the reserve list / COVID-19 after Wednesday’s test came back unfinished. That would mean the first time he missed a game in his 15-year career in the NFL.
The only players currently with the longest streaks in the NFL are Long Cowboys LP Cowboys LP Ladouceur (252 games) and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (240). Koch’s streak is also a Ravens franchise record.
“I’m sure he’ll have to come out according to the day count,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said after Friday’s practice. “That’s how I read it right now. I guess it won’t be there.”
Harbaugh later added, “I don’t expect it to come out on Sunday.”
This indicates that Koch did not test positive and will only have to be quarantined for five days. It would be available if Baltimore (10-5) advanced to the postseason. The Ravens can get a wild card robber by beating the Bengals (4-10-1). If the Ravens lose, Baltimore can still get a place in the playoffs if the Colts or Cleveland Browns lose.
Johnny Townsend, who hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2018, will replace Koch on Sunday. A selection for the 2018 fifth round of the Raiders, Townsend was signed by Baltimore on Thursday and had a full practice with the team.
“We’re very happy to have him,” Harbaugh said. “He has had a good experience in practice today. We hope he does very well in the match.”