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There have been multiple changes in the NFL recently regarding the league's COVID-19 protocols. On Thursday, the league announced updated protocols, including heightened preventative measures and loosened return-to-participation requirements.
On Friday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that three Week 15 games would be postponed due to COVID-19 outbreaks in multiple organizations. These games included Browns vs Raiders, Eagles vs Washington, and Rams vs Seahawks.
Saturday, the NFL sent out a memo on even more updated protocols. NFL public resources office member Brian McCarthy tweeted the news sent out by the league and its players association.
New from the @nfl and @NFLPA pic.twitter.com/p7KZ5ZilsA
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) December 18, 2021
The memo mentioned the league's COVID-19 decisions from earlier in the week, stating that they were “designed to stop the transmission of the virus and play this week's games safely.”
It went on to talk about a new set of protocols, including a “more targeted testing plan.” According to NFL reporter Mike Garafolo, this means that vaccinated players will not be tested for the virus unless they are symptomatic.
The short version of the long NFL memo on updated protocols: Fully vaccinated, asymptomatic players and staff won’t have to test weekly anymore. It’s now “targeted testing,” meaning symptomatic individuals. Unvaccinated individuals must still test daily.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 18, 2021
Instead of being tested weekly, fully vaccinated players will now only be tested if they have symptoms related to COVID-19. As for unvaccinated players, they will continue to be tested every day. This is a major change in the NFL's protocols. It means that a vaccinated player could be (unknowingly) positive with the virus, asymptomatic, and still eligible to play.
