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This NFL It is reducing the isolation period from 10 days to five days for players who are asymptomatic, including those who test positive for COVID-19 and are not vaccinated.
The League and NFL Players Association revised protocols Tuesday after the CDC changed its guidelines for those who are asymptomatic, recommending a five-day isolation period, and masking the second five days.
The changes could allow Colts quarterback Carson Wentz to return to his important game against Las Vegas on Sunday after Indianapolis put him on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
It was not immediately clear whether Wentz tested positive for the virus or was considered in close contact with someone else who tested positive. However, if Wentz does not have any symptoms, he may be allowed to play.
In a memo sent to the teams and received by the Associated Press, players and key football personnel may return under the following conditions:
– It’s been five days since a positive COVID-19 test.
– At least 24 hours have passed since the last fever of the individual without using antipyretic drugs.
– Other symptoms, including cough, have improved or have improved.
– After consulting with the club’s primary sports medicine doctor, Sports Infection Control, and NFL the chief medical officer determines that the individual may return to the club facility and interact with other club employees/contractors.
– Any local regulations or requirements are met.
Fully vaccinated persons may continue to “test” isolation less than five days after testing positive and should stop testing on Day 5 and return according to updated guidance, assuming all other conditions are met.
Masks must be worn at all times outside of play and practice, on the sidelines and for five days after the return.
All players and staff must wear masks in closed areas at team facilities. Players and staff are not allowed to eat together. A limit of 15 people applies to weight rooms. Also, even fully vaccinated staff and players are encouraged to avoid public spaces, including restaurants, bars, and social gatherings.
The Tennessee Titans, which could clinch the AFC South with a win or a Colts loss, added linebacker Jayon Brown and practice roster receiver Cody Hollister, who have played three of their last four games, including a starter. They then added defensive side Denico Autry, who has eight sacks this season, to bring the Titans’ total to 10, not counting an 11th on the reserve injured for the season.
The timing couldn’t have been worse for the Colts, who bounced back from a 1-4 start and won eight of their last 10 games. They can clinch one of seven AFC playoff points by defeating the Raiders.
Indy’s move comes a day after five players, including right-hander Braden Smith, were added to a rapidly expanding COVID-19 roster.
Wentz’s backup is rookie Sam Ehlinger, who has played in three games but hasn’t been able to pass this season. It was a sixth-round pick. Veteran Brett Hundley and James Morgan are on Indy’s training staff. Hundley was leading 3-6 in his first game. NFL career.
Indy won despite missing six players and losing two more in the first half due to COVID-19 in Arizona on Saturday. Absences forced the Colts to play Smith, just one of five regular offensive lines.
It’s unclear how many of these players will be able to return on Sunday.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently isolating at home.
The team said Tuesday that assistant coach/running game coordinator Harold Goodwin will serve as interim head coach in Arians’ absence. The reigning Super Bowl champions visit the New York Jets on Sunday.
In a statement released by the team, Arians said: “I tested positive for COVID-19 this morning but had only mild symptoms up until this point. Harold Goodwin will take over my duties in my absence. I have full confidence in him and our other coaches to prepare the team for this week’s Jets game. I look forward to rejoining and returning to the facility as soon as I can retest.”
Meanwhile, the Bucs have also placed columnists Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting on the reserve/COVID-19 list. This brings the number of Tampa Bay players on the roster to five.
Also:
– The Patriots’ rookie quarterback Mac Jones may not have had the biggest backing against the Jaguars after veteran Brian Hoyer was added to the reserve/COVID-19 roster alongside reserve players Josh Uche and Brandon King.
Going on his fourth assignment in New England, Hoyer had previously served Tom Brady and Cam Newton in backup roles. He has been a backup for Jones in each of the first 15 games this season.
If Hoyer is unavailable, the 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham could move into the role. The promotion would come a little over a month after Stidham was added to the active roster after starting the season with a back injury in tow. He took part in eight career matches.
Hoyer, Uche and King became the five Patriots players added to the COVID-19 roster in two days. Linebackers Matt Judon and Ja’Whaun Bentley, two of the Patriots’ most prolific defensive players, were added Monday. While he has some depth in the New England defender, Judon has been the top pass putter and leads the team with 12 1/2 sacks.
Linebackers coach Jerod Mayo said on Tuesday the team is ready to adjust defensively as needed.
“We still have guys in our room playing a lot of ball, and I can tell you, you can either replace people with someone else or you can replace him with a plan,” Mayo said. “So we’re still going through that process right now. Who we want to put on the field, what’s the game plan for this week, but at the end of the day, the guys on the field will be ready to go. I hope we get those guys back but as I’ve said before, we have to see it as an injury.”
– The Green Bay Packers put tight end Marcedes Lewis and linebacker Oren Burks on the reserve/COVID-19 list. This is due to the Packers putting guard Ben Braden, defender Tipa Galeai, forward/punt return Amari Rodgers and defender Ty Summers on the reserve/COVID-19 list and putting defender RJ McIntosh on the practice roster reserve/COVID-19. It comes a day after putting a. list.
– The Jacksonville Jaguars have added three more players to their reserve/COVID-19 roster: tight end Jacob Hollister, defensive Jay Tufele, and defender Damien Wilson. That brings the team’s total to 19 players on the list, including eight defenders and four tight ends.
– Cincinnati Bengals place wide receiver Auden Tate on reserve/COVID-19 list. Tate hasn’t played since Week 7 and is in reserve due to a calf injury.
The Philadelphia Eagles have placed wide receiver John Hightower on their training roster reserve/COVID-19 list.
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More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
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