The San Francisco 49ers lost a slew of key players when wide receiver Kendrick Bourne tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week.
Bourne was deemed to have “close contact” with fellow wideouts Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, as well as Pro Bowl offensive tackle Trent Williams.
But there was one slight problem: Bourne was the victim of a false positive.
Unfortunately for the 49ers, protocol mandates Bourne, Samuel, Aiyuk and Williams must remain on the the COVID-19 list, rendering them inactive for Thursday night's game against the Green Bay Packers.
It is looking as if #49ers WR Kendrick Bourne’s test from yesterday was a false positive, according to source close to him. He and three others who live with him have all tested negative. Still, he, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams must remain on COVID-19 list today.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) November 5, 2020
As ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter noted, the issue is not always so cut and dried.
According to Schefter, apparent “false positives” have actually come back positive on 101 of 104 occasions this year. Naturally, the NFL is hoping to take precautions with more and more positive tests cropping up throughout the league.
Update: Kendrick Bourne's test came back positive Wednesday and negative today. There have been 104 instances this season of a positive one day and a negative the next – and it has been proven positive 101 of the 104 times with further testing.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 5, 2020
Still, this is a massive loss for the 49ers on the day of a pivotal NFC showdown with the Packers.
San Francisco is already without starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and All-Pro tight end George Kittle, both of whom are on the shelf due to injury. Now, three of their most important offensive weapons will also miss the contest.
Aiyuk's absence is especially notable. The rookie out of Arizona State has really established himself as a top playmaker as of late, with 14 combined receptions for 206 yards and a touchdown in the team's last two games.
Needless to say, backup quarterback Nick Mullens will have his hands full as he leads the 49ers into battle against Aaron Rodgers and a high-powered Packers offense.
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