Buffalo sends rookies home after multiple positive tests

Buffalo sent its rookies home from the team’s facility Thursday as a response to five positive coronavirus tests this week, ESPN reported.

Bills cornerbacks Dane Jackson and Siran Neal were placed on the NFL’S reserve/covid-19 list Thursday, with both testing positive for the coronavirus, leading the team to decide to conduct the day’s meetings virtually.

Players also can be placed on the COVID-19 list if they came into contact with someone who is a known carrier.

Under the NFL’S training camp mandate, players must register three negative tests in a five-day span to enter the facility. Although teams are not required to shut down their facility for a positive test, the Bills chose to minimize risk by sending players home for the day.

The Bills’ rookies first reported July 21 to begin testing. The rookie who tested positive Thursday did so after registering three negative tests, a league source said.

Jackson and Neal reportedly are asymptomatic. Neal’s first test Tuesday also came back negative, while his test Wednesday was positive, a source said.

A player who tests positive can be tested again after five days if he remains asymptomatic during that span. Neal is isolating while he awaits the results of a third test, a source said.

Undrafted rookie cornerback Ike Brown was the first Bills player to be placed on the team’s reserve/ COVID-19 list Monday, followed by defensive tackle Vincent Taylor and wide receiver Duke Williams on Wednesday.

Panthers:

The team decided to keep Joey Slye as its kicker and cut veteran Graham Gano, who missed all of 2019 with a knee injury. Gano,

33, handled Carolina’s field goals and kickoffs since 2012. A former Las Vegas Locomotives player in the United Football League, Gano had two years left on a four-year, $17 million contract. Slye, 24, set to make $675,000 this year, made 25 of 32 field goals, including 8 of 11 from 50 yards or beyond, as a rookie in 2019.

General manager Jon Robinson said he has been in touch with Vic Beasley and that the linebacker knows his absence from training camp is unexcused. The 28-year-old former All-pro is subject to a $50,000 fine each day he misses camp. He signed a one-year, $9.5 million deal in March after eight seasons with Atlanta, with whom he had eight of his 37.5 sacks in 2019.

Titans: Buccaneers:

Free-agent running back Lesean Mccoy agreed to a oneyear deal. The 32-year-old six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-pro finished 2019 ranked third among active players with 11,071 yards rushing, behind Frank Gore and Adrian Peterson.

Free-agent linebacker Nigel Bradham agreed to a one-year deal. Philadelphia cut the 30-yearold on Feb. 19 after four seasons. The Florida State product averaged 96 tackles in his first three seasons with the Eagles before injuries slowed him in 2019.

Saints: Jaguars:

Former executive Tom Coughlin, 73, sustained four fractured ribs and a punctured lung and needed stitches in his head after a bicycle accident last weekend in Jacksonville that left him hospitalized for a night, ESPN reported.

The players union reached an agreement with 2K Sports that will allow the video game developer to use the names, images and likenesses of more than 2,000 players.

Quarterback Joe Flacco (neck), linebacker Avery Williamson (knee) and tight end Ryan Griffin (ankle) were placed on the physically unable to perform list.

Linebacker Anthony Barr became the team’s eighth player placed on the reserve/covid-19 list since training camp opened.

Kicker Mason Crosby and tight end Jace Sternberger were placed on the reserve/covid-19 list.

NFLPA: Jets: Vikings: Packers: