The Cleveland Browns have been ravaged by positive COVID-19 tests this week, with Coach Kevin Stefanski and 19 players going into the league’s health and safety protocols since Tuesday. David Richard/Associated Press
In moves reminiscent of the environment for the 2020 season, the NFL has updated its protocols and advocated for booster shots in reaction to an increase in COVID-19 cases around the league.
As part of its protocol changes, it is requiring masks regardless of vaccination status, and remote or outdoor meetings. It also is stopping in-person meals, adding restrictions on activities outside the facility, prohibiting outside visitors during team travel, and limiting the amount of people in team weight rooms.
“Finally, and based on expert advice, we will adjust the return-to-participation requirements for those who have recovered from COVID-19,” the league said in a statement. “All of these changes are grounded in our data and science-backed approach, with safety our No. 1 goal for the entire NFL community.”
The updated protocols will be enforced through Week 15 games, but are likely to continue or even be strengthened after that point.
Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer, said the omicron variant of the coronavirus is “in many ways (like) addressing a new disease.” Omicron is responsible for the significant uptick in positive COVID-19 cases, according to Sills, which are emanating from within team facilities. That is the opposite of where previous positives had come from right after Thanksgiving.
The league and the players’ union, advised by independent infectious disease officers, have developed a mechanism in the protocols that might lead to shorter stints on the sidelines for people testing positive.
Previously, a vaccinated person – players, coaches, executives and staffers – who tests positive must then have two negative tests 24 hours apart and be asymptomatic before being cleared to return. Beginning immediately, the new protocols relax that requirement a bit, allowing for two PCR tests or two Mesa tests – or one of each – being negative. The logistics for that could speed up the return of sidelined players.
“We have to think differently about this phase of the pandemic,” Sills said. “We are facing a different set of challenges and in some ways almost a different disease … and it is going to require a different (strategy) from us.”
Also Thursday:
• Browns backup quarterback Case Keenum, who was slotted to start Saturday with Baker Mayfield sidelined after testing positive with COVID-19, has also tested positive for the virus, a person familiar with the situation tells the Associated Press.
Keenum’s positive result came after he practiced on Thursday, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team may have more confirmed cases coming.
The Browns (7-6) are scheduled to host the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday but have been overrun with positive cases. Cleveland placed eight players on the COVID-19 reserve list on Tuesday, six more Wednesday, and reportedly had five more positive cases Thursday.
Coach Kevin Stefanski is also away from the team after testing positive – for the second time in two seasons. He watched Thursday’s practice remotely.
Third-string quarterback Nick Mullens was activated from the practice squad and is likely to start against the Raiders.
• The Chicago Bears were missing all three of their coordinators because of COVID-19 protocols as they prepared for Monday night’s home game against the Minnesota Vikings. And they had seven players out because of illnesses.
Bears Coach Matt Nagy said offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, defensive coordinator Sean Desai and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor were participating remotely in meetings this week. Their status for the game is uncertain.
Nagy said non-COVID illness is running through the team and kept running back David Montgomery, guard James Daniels, tackle Teven Jenkins, return man Jakeem Grant, tight end Cole Kmet, tight end Jesper Horsted and running back Khalil Herbert sidelined on Thursday.
Chicago has put six players on the COVID-19 reserve list since Monday: tackle Larry Borom, tackle Elijah Wilkinson, nose tackle Eddie Goldman, cornerback Artie Burns, defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr., and practice squad linebacker Sam Kamara.
• Washington placed three more players on the COVID-19 list, following eight Wednesday. The team total is 21, including two players on injured reserve and two on the practice squad. Safety Sam Curl was the only starter added to the list, and was joined by centers Keith Ismael and Tyler Larsen.
• Seattle might be without one of its stars, receiver Tyler Lockett, who was put on the COVID-19 list along with running back Alex Collins.
Lockett has a team-high 62 receptions for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns. Last week Lockett became the second player in franchise history with three straight seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving, joining Hall of Famer Steve Largent.
• Saints Coach Sean Payton returned to practice on Thursday after staying home on Wednesday, when the team said the coach was “under the weather,” but had tested negative for COVID-19.
• Miami rookie receiver Jaylen Waddle has been placed in the coronavirus protocol. The sixth overall draft pick already has set a franchise record for receptions by a rookie with 86. He has 849 yards receiving and four touchdowns.
The Dolphins host the Jets on Sunday.
RAVENS: Lamar Jackson was not at practice Thursday during the portion open to reporters.
Jackson missed practice Wednesday because of the sprained ankle that knocked him out of last weekend’s loss at Cleveland. The Ravens have remained hopeful Jackson can play Sunday against Green Bay.
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