Pandemic may add extra week to season

It’s been two decades since the Dolphins played a game in the second weekend of January.

But unless the nation and the NFL get their parallel COVID-19 crises under control, that streak will likely end in early

2021.

Troy Vincent, the league’s executive vice president of football operations, acknowledged the obvious Tuesday when asked about the growing likelihood the NFL will need to use an 18-week season this fall.

“The focus has been playing 256 games in a 17-week schedule,” Vincent said on a conference call with reporters. “We’ve been consistent on that. [But] we lose that flexibility as the weeks go on and we [might] have to adjust. That’s what we have to avoid. As the season progresses, byes become less and less.

“The focus is is playing 256 games in a 17-week window knowing that potentially, if things continue to happen, the 18th week could be an option.”

As Vincent suggested, the Dolphins have basically no margin for error going forward — even though they haven’t had a positive test since late August.

The Patriots’ recent outbreak caused four changes to the next six weeks of the Dolphins’ schedule — including switching this weekend’s game at the Broncos to home against the Jets — and once Miami hits its new bye in Week 7, they must play games in each of the season’s final 10 weeks to finish on time.

That seems unlikely with cases spiking all across the country, including in a number of NFL cities.

“We expect COVID cases as long as [the virus is] prevalent in our communities,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said.

“We cannot become complacent . ... 90 percent is not good enough. We have to be incredibly diligent.”

ELSEWHERE

Jets: New York surprisingly released disgruntled running back Le’Veon Bell, ending a disappointing tenure after less than two full seasons. The team said the move was made after several conversations with Bell and his agent during the last few days and exploring trade options. … Wide receiver

Chris Hogan was placed on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain.

Cowboys: Dallas signed quarterback Garrett Gilbert off Cleveland’s practice squad after

Dak Prescott’s seasonending ankle injury. Gilbert played at Texas and SMU before he was drafted by the Rams, who were then in St. Louis, in the sixth round in 2014. Dallas is the seventh organization for Gilbert, who has played in six games and thrown six passes in his career.

Rams: Los Angeles placed promising rookie safety Jordan Fuller on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

Packers: Rookie tight end Josiah Deguara has been placed on injured reserve. They also placed center Jake Hanson on injured reserve-practice squad.