League not taking cold, flu symptoms lightly
The NFL’s top doctor said Thursday that players will miss practices and perhaps even games if they have cold and flu symptoms, even if they test negative for the coronavirus.
Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer, said on a conference call that teams should “err on the side of caution” and send symptomatic players and coaches home from practice in case they have the virus.
“Even if they have a negative [ coronavirus] test that day, we’re going to hold that individual out of the facility,” Sills said.
Although it’s unclear who, specifically, would make a game- day decision to hold out a player who has cold and flu symptoms and a negative test, Sills said the league will rely on team medical staffs and experts in making those decisions.
The NFL has yet to see a case of on- field transmission of the coronavirus, Sills said. While that is a positive sign, the league still requires teams to undergo special protocols at their practice facilities if they have played against someone who later tested positive. The Panthers — who face the Bears on Sunday — are doing so this week after a Falcons player tested positive Tuesday.
Sills’ warning about cold and flu symptoms was particularly relevant Thursday, as Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr. stayed home from practice despite testing negative for the coronavirus.
The NFL has encouraged all players to get their seasonal flu shot because influenza and COVID- 19 have similar symptoms: fever, coughing and body aches, among others.
Green not fleeing Bengals yet
Seven- time Pro Bowl receiver A. J. Green, who left Sunday’s loss to the Ravens with a minor hamstring injury, told reporters he’s frustrated but wants to stay with the team through the Nov. 3 trade deadline. Cameras on Sunday appeared to catch Green telling a staff member he should be traded if the Bengals ( 1- 3- 1) don’t use him properly; he denied that’s what he was saying.
Green, who missed the 2019 season with an ankle injury, tried unsuccessfully to get a long- term deal in the offseason.
Double blow for Chiefs’ offense
The Chiefs will be without offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele and wide receiver Sammy Watkins when they visit the Bills on Monday night for a game pushed back because of coronavirus protocols.
Osemele tore tendons in both of his knees and Watkins hurt his hamstring in Sunday’s loss to the
Raiders, which ended the Chiefs’ franchise- record 13- game winning streak. Mike Remmers finished the game at guard and will get the start in Buffalo, coach Andy Reid said, and Mecole Hardman will take most of the snaps in Watkins’s place.