OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Baltimore Ravens striker Sam Koch is not expected to play for the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, ending the third in a row of 239 NFL games.
Koch is on the reserve list / COVID-19 after his test on Wednesday returned inconclusive. This would mark the first time he missed a game in his 15-year career in the NFL.
The only players who currently have longer runs in the NFL are Dallas Cowboys long snapper LP Ladouceur (252 games) and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (240). Koch’s strip is also a record for the Ravens franchise.
“I’m pretty sure he has to come out based on the number of days,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said after practice on Friday. “That’s the way I’m reading it now. I just guess it won’t be there.”
Harbaugh later added, “I don’t expect him to be gone beyond Sunday.”
This is an indication that Koch has not tested positive and will only have to be quarantined for five days. He would be available if Baltimore (10-5) advanced into the postseason. The Ravens can get a wild-card berth by beating the Bengals (4-10-1). If the Ravens lose, Baltimore can still secure a place in the playoffs if the Colts or Cleveland Browns lose.
Johnny Townsend, who has not played in a 2018 NFL game, will replace Koch on Sunday. A pick from the fifth round of 2018 by the Raiders, Townsend was signed by Baltimore on Thursday and had only one full practice with the team.
“We’re very happy to have him,” Harbaugh said. “He did well today in practice. We expect him to do very well in the game.”