In the wake of a string of COVID-19 outbreaks that has drastically rejiggered the NFL schedule five weeks into the 2020 season, the league is revising its health and safety protocols.
On Tuesday, two more players — Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Marlon Davidson and Kansas City Chiefs fullback Patrick Sherman — were placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
Falcons place rookie DL Marlon Davidson on reserve-COVID-19 list.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) October 13, 2020
Chiefs' FB Anthony Sherman added to Reserve/COVID 19 list, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 13, 2020
As Tom Pelissero of NFL Network pointed out, the new restrictions stipulate that any person who is considered to have had “High Risk” close contact with an individual who tested positive now must be isolated for a period of five days, even if that person tests negative and shows no typical coronavirus symptoms.
A major change to the NFL-NFLPA protocols distributed to clubs Monday: Anyone with "high risk" close contact exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual must be isolated for at least 5 days, even if the person is negative and remains asymptomatic. pic.twitter.com/VBYoFAKmWx
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 13, 2020
A close contract individual who tests positive cannot return to football until at least 10 days have passed since the positive test, among other requirements.
The league has been taking heat for its COVID-19 protocols. New England Patriots defensive back Jason McCourty criticized the NFL and NFLPA for their handling of the coronavirus after the Patriots-Chiefs game proceeded in Week 5 despite Cam Newton's positive test.
McCourty questioned whether the league is truly putting the health of the players first.
“I think outside of here, the people that don’t have to walk in our building — whether it is the league office, whether it is the NFLPA — they don’t care,” the NFL defensive back said, via Mike Reiss of ESPN. “For them, it is not about our best interest, or our health and safety, it is about, ‘What can we make protocol-wise that sounds good, looks good, and how can we go out there and play games?’”
Last Monday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a memo to all 32 teams reiterating the importance of adhering to the COVID-19 protocols and threatening discipline for violations of the rules.
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