NFL updates protocols in response to COVID-19 cases

The NFL has modified its policies and campaigned for booster doses in response to an uptick of COVID-19 instances around the league, similar to the situation for the 2020 season.

It is demanding masks regardless of vaccination status, as well as remote or outdoor meetings, as part of its protocol adjustments. It’s also halting in-person meals, imposing restrictions on outside activities, restricting outside visits during team trips, and limiting the number of persons allowed in team weight rooms.

“Finally, and based on professional advice,” the league said in a statement, “we will revise the return-to-participation conditions for individuals who have recovered from COVID-19.” “All of these adjustments are based on our data-driven and science-backed approach, with the safety of the whole NFL community as our top priority.”

The new protocols will be in effect through the end of the Week 15 games, but they are likely to be continued or even enhanced after that.

The omicron version of the coronavirus is “in many ways (like) addressing a new disease,” according to Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer. According to Sills, Omicron is to blame for the large increase of positive COVID-19 cases coming from within team facilities. That’s the polar opposite of where prior positives came following Thanksgiving.

On the advice of independent infectious disease officers, the league and the players’ union have established a mechanism in the procedures that might lead to shorter time on the sidelines for those who test positive.

Previously, a vaccinated person who tested positive – players, coaches, executives, and employees — had to have two negative tests separated by 24 hours and be asymptomatic before being authorized to return. The new protocols ease that threshold slightly, allowing two PCR tests or two Mesa tests — or one of both — to be negative starting immediately. The logistics of doing so could hasten the comeback of injured players.

“We have to look about this phase of the epidemic differently,” Sills added. “We are dealing with a distinct set of issues, practically a different sickness… and it will necessitate a different (approach) from us.”

The 32 clubs were also instructed on Thursday that they can keep their present media restrictions, which include wearing masks at all times while in a club facility. However, for the remainder of this week, the teams can do virtual interviews, as a couple of them have already done.

On Thursday, the Los Angeles Rams placed linebacker Von Miller and eight more players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, bringing the total number of players on the list to 25.

Miller, linebacker Troy Reeder, linebacker Ogbo Okoronkwo, linebacker Christian Rozeboom, offensive guard Bobby Evans, defensive back Antoine Brooks, offensive tackle Tremayne Anchrum, defensive back Jake Gervase, and defensive back Kareem Orr have all been added to the roster for the Los Angeles Rams.

On the list for the Rams (9-4) are around ten potential/probable starters, as well as numerous backups who would have seen play at defensive back. On Thursday, they postponed practice for the second day in a row and held virtual meetings instead.

According to a team official, the Rams have spoken with the league about their alternatives in case they don’t have enough players to field a full team against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

The Chicago Bears were without all three of their coordinators as they prepared for Monday night’s home game against the Minnesota Vikings due to COVID-19 protocols. They also had seven players out due to illness.

Bears coach Matt Nagy noted that offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, defensive coordinator Sean Desai, and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor were all in meetings this week via video conference. Their participation in the game is up in the air.

The Bears have been hammered hard by COVID-19 this week, as have many other teams. A total of 100 players have tested positive among the 32 clubs.

On Thursday, running back David Montgomery, guard James Daniels, lineman Teven Jenkins, return man Jakeem Grant, tight end Cole Kmet, tight end Jesper Horsted, and running back Khalil Herbert were all ruled out due to non-COVID illness, according to Nagy.

Since Monday, Chicago has added lineman Larry Borom, tackle Elijah Wilkinson, nose tackle Eddie Goldman, cornerback Artie Burns, defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr., and practice squad linebacker Sam Kamara to the COVID-19 reserve list.

Nagy was out of a game versus San Francisco earlier this year, a 33-22 loss, due to COVID-19 difficulties, and Tabor coached the Bears.

Following the addition of eight players to the COVID-19 list on Wednesday, Washington added three more players on Thursday. There are 21 players on the team, with two on injured reserve and two on the practice squad. Safety The only starter to be added to the list was Sam Curl, who was joined by centers Keith Ismael and Tyler Larsen.

Curl joins linebacker Jon Allen and cornerback Kendall Fuller on the list of defensive starts. Because of the coronavirus and injury issues, Washington may be forced to employ its fifth center option.

One of Seattle’s talents, receiver Tyler Lockett, was placed on the COVID-19 list along with running back Alex Collins on Thursday. In the 2020 season, the Seahawks had no players test positive, but this year they had three: Gerald Everett, a tight end, was the other in September.

Lockett has 62 receptions for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns, which leads the club. Last week, Lockett joined Hall of Famer Steve Largent as the only player in franchise history to have three straight seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving.

Last week against Houston, Lockett had five catches for 142 yards and a touchdown, falling 35 yards short of his career high for a season.

After Chris Carson went down with a season-ending neck injury in Week 4, Collins has been the starter for the most of the season. Collins, on the other hand, has played through a number of injuries.

According to a person with knowledge of the matter who spoke anonymously because the move was not disclosed, Cleveland might be down to third-string quarterback Nick Mullens after Case Keenum joined Baker Mayfield in the protocols.

David Njoku, a tight end on the COVID-19 list, has been activated for Saturday’s game against Las Vegas, giving the team another playmaker. Coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Baker Mayfield were both sidelined by the flu on Wednesday, and their status for the rest of the week is unknown. The Browns previously had 17 players on the COVID-19 list, including 10 starters, and are now adding safety Ronnie Harrison to the list. James Johnson III, the starting safety, and Troy Hill, the nickel back, both tested positive on Wednesday, while rookie cornerback Greg Newsome II has been ruled out due to a concussion.

Saints coach Sean Payton returned to practice on Thursday after being home on Wednesday due to being “under the weather” but testing negative for COVID-19, according to the team.

On Wednesday morning, Payton held a press conference without revealing that he would be missing practice later that day. On Wednesday, Payton worked from home and participated in meetings via videoconference before returning to team headquarters on Thursday, according to the Saints.

Miami’s brilliant rookie receiver Jaylen Waddle’s season could be over. Waddle has been put on a coronavirus watch list. With 86 receptions as a rookie, the sixth overall pick has already set a team record. He’s caught 849 passes for 849 yards and four touchdowns.

On Sunday, the Dolphins will face the Jets.