Following Wednesday's NFL Winter League Meeting, members of the league spoke to the media on NFL Network. This included NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and Dr. Allen Sills, the league's chief medical officer. Sills told the media Wednesday night that the league was considering loosening protocols for positive players that are vaccinated and asymptomatic.

Less than 24 hours later, this seems to be the case. NFL reporter Tom Pelissero tweeted the NFL's updated COVID protocols on Thursday afternoon.

The statement said that the new variant, Omicron, can be attributed to the rapid increase in cases. In order to combat it, all clubs must implement the following preventative measures: masking (vaccinated or not), virtual or outdoor meetings, no outside visitors while the team travels, and no in-person meals.

Along with tightening preventative measures, the league is adjusting their return-to-participation requirements. Pelissero also included an additional notice from the league, which explains how vaccinated players and staff can “test out” of quarantine following a positive test. There are three listed possibilities for vaccinated players to return to their team sooner than the original ten day quarantine period.

 

This memo, according to NFL reporter Mike Garafolo, was sent to each team in the league in order to notify them about the quick protocol changes.

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These changes are all effective immediately, making it possible for many players currently on their teams' COVID-19 lists to be activated for Week 15.