49ers investigated over COVID case

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The NFL and the union are investigating the San Francisco 49ers and receiver Kendrick Bourne for possible violations of the league’s coronavirus protocols.

A person familiar with the investigation says the probe is looking into whether Bourne was wearing a face covering as required by the COVID-19 rules. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the investigation haven’t been announced by the league.

Bourne was placed on the COVID-19 list Wednesday after testing positive for the coronavirus. Teammates Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel were also placed on the list as “high risk” close contacts of Bourne’s.

All of the tests taken Wednesday for the 49ers came back negative the following day, the person said, and they played Thursday night against Green Bay as scheduled. While Bourne’s test was negative, the original is not considered a false positive because 101 out of 104 people in the league who tested negative one day after a positive test were later proven positive with subsequent tests, the person said.

Raiders fined, docked draft pick

The Las Vegas Raiders and coach Jon Gruden have been fined a total $650,000 and docked a sixth-round draft pick for repeated violations of the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols.

A person familiar with the punishment said Thursday the team has been fined $500,000, Gruden has been docked $150,000 and the draft pick has been stripped because of how the team handled Trent Brown’s positive coronavirus test last month.The Raiders are expected to appeal the punishment.

Brown was activated from the COVID-19 list last week but missed the game at Cleveland after a reported mishap with an IV sent him to the hospital before the game. Brown went back on the COVID-19 list Thursday when he had more symptoms.

Odds and ends

Panthers coach Matt Rhule said barring a setback he expects Christian McCaffrey to play Sunday against the Chiefs. The 2019 All-Pro running back, who has missed the past six games with a high ankle sprain, practiced for the second straight day Thursday. … Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley missed practice with a foot injury. … Sam Darnold’s sore shoulder kept him out of practice. The Jets remain optimistic the quarterback will play Monday against the Patriots.