NFL SEEMS TO BE LOSING BATTLE AGAINST COVID-19
League further tightens safety protocols, mask mandate with infections on the rise
Maybe this is an overstatement. But it felt for all the world on Tuesday that the NFL might be starting to lose its battle against COVID-19.
Hopefully not, but consider the latest developments.
A name executive, GM and hall of fame player — John Elway of the Denver Broncos — learned he's become infected and is quarantining.
Same with a starting quarterback, the second in a month — this time Andy Dalton of the Dallas Cowboys, who's out this week despite having recovered from a concussion that forced him to miss Sunday night's loss at Philadelphia.
Just as concerning, seven Baltimore Ravens players have been determined to be high-risk close contacts of cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who announced Monday he had tested positive for the coronavirus. And the Green Bay Packers identified two high-risk close contacts on their team after running back A.J. Dillon tested positive Monday.
All NFL high-risk close contacts must be quarantined for five days, under the stricter protocol implemented by the league and players association two weeks ago.
These incidents seem to have further rattled the league.
In conjunction with the NFLPA, the NFL further tightened COVID-19 protocols.
In a memo to clubs, the league referred to the above Ravens and Packers incidents without identifying either club, but used their predicaments to point out the following:
“Although (high-risk, close-contact) players on neither club wore masks while on the sideline or in the locker-room, the second club (Green Bay) was more effective in ensuring physical distancing for its players on the sideline and in the locker-room.
“We also note that, in both of these examples, additional players and staff members were designated as high-risk close contacts as a result of unmasked social interactions outside of the facility. In all of these circumstances, our medical experts have concluded that if masks were worn by players in both examples, the number of individuals that would have been designated as high-risk close contacts would have been significantly reduced.
“As we advised on Friday and as this weekend's positive tests demonstrate, wearing masks or other approved face coverings at all times while not actively engaged in the game is an important and significant mitigation tool. We continue to strongly recommend that all active players not participating on the field or about to enter the game wear masks or double-layered gaiters on the sideline. All players and staff must wear masks or double-layered gaiters in the locker-room on game days.”
The league furthermore informed clubs that, effective immediately, players and coaches will operate during games in a sideline area expanded to each 20-yard line, to make safe distancing easier and likelier; and because “pre- and post-game social interactions between clubs present addition unnecessary risk of transmission,” a player, coach or other sideline team member may only shake hands or hug immediately after a game with someone on the other team — “no matter how brief” — if all are wearing a mask or double-layered gaiter.
The league “strongly” recommended that clubs avoid these pre- and post-game interactions “altogether.”
Lastly, the league tightened the “intensive protocol” for teams battling a COVID-19 outbreak, to expand the prohibition of in-person meetings to coaches and other personnel meetings, whether or not they involve players.
All these developments on Tuesday occurred with two full months of games (to the day) to go in the regular season, which now is more or less at the midway point.
Things are not trending in the right direction, and the league is preparing for yet worse things to come, as the pandemic seems to worsen by the day this autumn.
Reports said the NFL's competition committee will present to owners this week a backup playoff plan — should games be cancelled and not made up — wherein 16 teams (rather than 14) would qualify, with four wild cards joining four division winners in each conference.
At this rate, that might well come to pass.
BROWN OFFICIALLY BACK
While NFL trade deadline day was a dud, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have activated Antonio Brown.
The controversial wide receiver is officially back on an active NFL roster.
This, after “AB” spent more than 13 months in exile attributable to months of unbalanced, bizarre, reprehensible and even criminal behaviours, as well as unproved allegations of past despicable personal conduct that includes sexual assault.
To make room for the 32-yearold four-time all-pro, the Bucs waived WR Cyril Grayson.
The Bucs (6-2) play host Sunday night to the New Orleans Saints (5-2) in a battle for first place in the NFC South — one of the marquee games of the NFL season so far.
How much will Brown play?
“It really depends on how the game goes,” Bucs head coach Bruce Arians said Tuesday. “He'll have his role. It could be 10 plays, it could be 35 plays. I wouldn't anticipate 60 plays, for sure, but we'll just see how it goes”
Arians underscored in simple terms what Brown must do to succeed in Tampa Bay:
“He has to handle his own business off the field. On the field, you find your role, accept it, embrace it, make sure you're making the right plays, and we'll get you the ball.”