3 games delayed because of virus
The NFL has moved three games because of COVID-19 outbreaks: Las Vegas at Cleveland from Saturday to Monday; and Seattle at the Los Angeles Rams and Washington at Philadelphia from Sunday to Tuesday.
The Browns could have been without as many as 16 regulars Saturday, so the game is now scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. Monday. It will be televised by NFL Network.
Washington and Philadelphia will play at 6 p.m. Tuesday, as will the Seahawks and Rams. Both games will be televised by Fox and available on the Sunday Ticket.
“We have made these schedule changes based on medical advice and after discussion with the NFLPA as we are seeing a new, highly transmissible form of the virus this week resulting in a substantial increase in cases across the league,” the NFL said in a statement. “We continue to make decisions in consultation with medical experts to ensure the health and safety of the NFL community.”
Previously, the NFL didn’t plan to move any games because of coronavirus outbreaks. It even said forfeits “could be in play.” But recent developments with the omicron strain of COVID-19 have changed the league’s thinking — as did several outbreaks across the league entering Week 15 of the season.
“We will make every effort, consistent with the underlying health and safety principles, to play our full schedule within the current 18 weeks,” commissioner Roger Goodell said in a memo sent to the 32 clubs. “Each team is obligated to have its team ready to play at the scheduled time and place. … Games will not be postponed or rescheduled because of roster issues affecting a particular position group or particular number of players.
“If games are postponed, we will make every effort to minimize the competitive and economic burden on the participating teams.”
The moves weren’t looked at kindly by some players.
“I pay my player dues just to get lied to and the rules bent!” Raiders linebacker K.J. Wright tweeted at the league and the players’ union. “If it was the other way around, I swear we would be playing tomorrow.”
Eagles safety Rodney McLeod tweeted: “So we have to suffer, and compromise our schedule because of another teams mistake. Make it make sense!”
Last season, in the midst of the coronavirus, the NFL completed its season on schedule, but it had to reschedule 15 games, some to midweek. In July, Goodell warned teams that no games would be rescheduled under such circumstances and, instead, forfeits could happen. Also Friday:
Saints coach Sean Payton tested positive for COVID-19 and immediately was isolated from the team. The Saints said defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has been assigned head coaching duties for Sunday night’s game at Tampa Bay.
Washington put Taylor Heinicke on the COVID-19 list, making the team’s quarterback plan for the upcoming game at Philadelphia an uncertainty. If Heinicke can’t play, former A&M and UH quarterback Kyle Allen, who went on the COVID list Tuesday, could get the start if he’s cleared. Washington also signed former UT, SMU and Cowboys quarterback Garrett Gilbert off New England’s practice squad Friday.
With Baker Mayfield and former UH quarterback Case Keenum on COVID-19 reserve, the Cleveland Browns signed quarterback Kyle Lauletta, who spent training camp with the team. Third-stringer Nick Mullens is slated to start. Meanwhile, former Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney joined Cleveland’s massive COVID-19 list after a positive test Friday.
The Bears added former Cowboys QB Andy Dalton to the COVID list.