NFL postpones three Week 15 games due to COVID-19 surge

Cleveland has witnessed a considerable quantity of optimistic COVID-19 cases considering that it very last took the field Sunday, with additional than 20 gamers at this time on the reserve/COVID-19 checklist. Backup quarterback Circumstance Keenum joined starter Baker Mayfield on the checklist just after tests optimistic Thursday. Nick Mullenswill start off for the Browns if neither Mayfield or Keenum can return from the reserve/COVID-19 record in time for a game that will now consider put Monday. Head mentor Kevin Stefanski and managing backs coach Ryan Cordell are also currently unavailable simply because of COVID-19.

The Los Angeles Rams are also working with a important COVID-19 outbreak, putting nine players on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday to carry their full of gamers on the listing to 21, with four much more on the apply squad reserve/COVID-19 listing. Linebacker Von Miller was the most notable addition Thursday. L.A. then extra 4 much more gamers to their COVID list Friday.

Cornerback Jalen Ramsey skipped Monday night’s acquire in excess of the Cardinals thanks to a beneficial check. Receiver Odell Beckham landed on the checklist Tuesday.

Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke finished up on the reserve/COVID-19 listing Friday following a optimistic check. Backup Kyle Allen is currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list, prompting Washington to signal Garrett Gilbert off the Patriots’ practice squad. Washington also signed Jordan Ta’amu to the practice squad this 7 days, wherever he joined Kyle Shurmur, the predicted starter if Heinicke and Allen are unable to participate in Tuesday. The Soccer Team presently has a lot more than 20 players in COVID-19 protocol.

The NFL on Thursday declared updated protocols, which consist of totally vaccinated gamers staying allowed to return from quarantine a working day soon after tests constructive furnished they generate two destructive checks in just 24 hours and are also asymptomatic.

The current protocols also bundled variations to conversation among coaches, players and some others in crew facilities, prohibiting in-human being meetings for Tier 1 and Tier 2 individuals (together with coaches and players) except they are held outdoors or in the team’s observe bubble with bodily distancing integrated. Masking is also needed indoors for all gamers and team, including in the pounds home, no matter of vaccination position. Constraints on action outside the house the facility have also enhanced, prohibiting Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 personnel and gamers from public appearances or crew- or participant-organized charity gatherings and accumulating in groups of extra than 3 people outside the house of the facility.

The up-to-date protocols came as a reaction to a adjust in the COVID-19 landscape and are intended to “tackle the raise in circumstances and the advent of the Omicron variant.” NFL Network’s Judy Battista reported Wednesday that approximately 100 gamers not too long ago analyzed constructive for COVID-19 around a 3-day span. Thirty-two players had been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday by itself. The ongoing enhance in placement of players on the reserve/COVID-19 list displays this spike in positive tests.