Lions QB Stafford added to COVID list
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was put on the reserve/ COVID- 19 list, although his wife Kelly said on social media he tested negative.
Stafford reportedly had a high- risk, close contact with a non- team member who tested positive for the virus. He is not allowed to practice the rest of this week, but if he tests negative in the coming days and remains asymptomatic, he will be eligible to play Sunday against the Vikings.
The Lions put linebacker Jarrad Davis on the list Tuesday. The two cases reportedly are not related.
Three months ago, the Lions removed Stafford from the COVID list after saying he received a false positive test result.
Two more Broncos added to COVID list
The Broncos put starting defensive end Shelby Harris and practice squad offensive lineman Darrin Paulo on the COVID list and canceled practice for the second time in six days.
Paulo tested positive and Harris self- reported after coming into close contact with an individual who has the virus. Harris needs five consecutive days of negative tests in order to return to the team, putting his status for the game at Atlanta in jeopardy. Harris, one of the Broncos’ best defenders, is the third player to go on the COVID list since
Friday, when starting right guard Graham Glasgow announced he had the virus.
Cowboys to start fourth QB in five weeks
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said he was benching rookie quarterback Ben DiNucci in favor of either Garrett Gilbert or Cooper Rush. Gilbert and Rush will compete for the job in practice, and one will start Sunday at home against the Steelers.
DiNucci looked overmatched in his first start, a 23- 9 win by the Eagles. The Cowboys rarely threw down the field, and DiNucci lost two fumbles. The Cowboys will have their fourth different starting quarterback of the season after Dak Prescott suffered a right ankle injury that ended his season Oct. 11 and Andy Dalton suffered a concussion and then was put on the COVID list Tuesday.
McKinley upset about not being traded
Defensive end Takk McKinley may have jeopardized his future with the Falcons by using social media to complain about not being traded. McKinley, a first- round pick in 2017, posted on his Twitter account that he requested trades last year and this year. He said the Falcons turned down an offer for a second- round pick in 2019.
This and that
† Saints receivers Michael Thomas and
Emmanuel Sanders are on the cusp of playing as both returned to practice. The Saints have managed to win four straight without Thomas, who has been dealing with a sprained ankle. Sanders went out late in Week 7 after testing positive for COVID.
† Panthers coach Matt Rhule is “very hopeful” Christian McCaffrey will play Sun
day after the running back went through his first padded practice since missing the last six games with a high ankle sprain.
† Veteran quarterback Josh McCown signed with the Texans, his 12th franchise. McCown has been on the Eagles’ practice squad this year.