Panthers on watch after opponent tests positive
The NFL news of the day is being delivered with a knock, knock, knock on wood and the reminder this is being written on Wednesday afternoon.
There are no postponements or rescheduling of any Week 6 games. Yet.
There is at least one situation being closely monitored, however, as the Carolina Panthers have entered the NFL's intensive protocol after Falcons rookie defensive tackle Marlon Davidson was placed on the reserve/ COVID-19 list. ESPN is reporting that Davidson tested positive on Tuesday, two days after playing 12 snaps against the Panthers. The Panthers (3-2) are scheduled to host the Chicago Bears (4-1) on Sunday.
According to a memo sent out to teams on Oct. 1, the NFL's intensive protocol means:
Along with daily testing, players
■ must receive daily rapid-pointof-care tests and test negatively before entering the facility.
All meetings must occur virtu
■ ally.
Activities such as practice will
■ take place either outdoors or in large open spaces when possible.
Personal protective equipment
■ such as face masks or shields must be worn on the practice field by players and staff at all times.
Gloves also should be worn
■ on the field by all players except quarterbacks, although Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater always wears gloves on both hands.
The weight room will be limit
■ ed to no more than 10 players at any time.
The facility will be deep
■ cleaned daily.
No team or player gatherings,
■ or group football activities will be permitted away from the facility.
Players can be in the lock
■ er-room for 15 minutes at most, with masks worn at all times.
The Minnesota Vikings were in intensive protocol following their Week 3 game against the Tennessee Titans. None of the Vikings tested positive and the team didn't have to reschedule a game.
Let's hope the Panthers have similar luck.
OFF THE TEE: Cam Newton was removed from the reserve/ COVID-19 list and is expected to practice with the Patriots on Thursday ... The Titans have traded linebacker Kamalei Correa, as per his request. He was sent to the Jaguars. Be careful what you wish for ... Switching to a 17-game schedule next season means Super Bowl LVIII in New Orleans has been pushed back from 2024 to 2025. The change was forced because of a conflict with Mardi Gras, which begins Feb. 13 in 2024. The next three Super Bowls will be held in Tampa Bay, Los Angeles and Glendale, with 2024 now open for bidding ... The NFL has cancelled this season's Pro Bowl. It will be the first time the game hasn't been played since 1949 ... SIDELINE TO SIDELINE: Former Jags running back Maurice Jones-Drew, now an analyst with NFL.com, lists six potential landing spots for Le'Veon Bell, who was cut by the Jets on Tuesday night. They include the Bills, Bears, Colts, Chiefs, 49ers and Steelers. ... Contrary to popular belief, Saints star receiver Michael Thomas was not suspended by the team for getting into a fight with C.J. Gardner-Johnson during practice, but he was fined $58,823.53, which is the amount he makes per game.
SECOND AND LONG: Melvin Gordon's lukewarm start to the season took a turn for the worse late Tuesday night when the Broncos running back was cited for driving under the influence by the Denver Police Department. Gordon, who is 20th in league rushing with 281 yards (and three touchdowns) on 65 carries, is set to be arraigned on Nov.
13, two days before the Broncos play the Raiders in Vegas ... Fired Falcons coach Dan Quinn had a classy exit from Atlanta, which included an open letter to Falcons fans in which he said coaching the team was a “privilege of a lifetime.” In five seasons under Quinn, the Falcons were 43-42 with three post-season victories, and they made a trip to the Super Bowl. Expect him to get another head coaching job in the not-toodistant future.