Sideline will expand to provide distancing
The NFL is expanding the sideline area to give teams more space to distance, and mask usage is now mandatory before and after games and at halftime.
The updates to the coronavirus protocols were sent to clubs in a memo Tuesday, a day after the league learned two players who played in games Sunday tested positive.
The league also is strongly encouraging players to wear masks whenever they come off the field and teams in intensive protocol are prohibited from holding inperson coaching and personnel meetings.
“What we are trying to convey is masks can prevent you from becoming a highrisk contact, which is our goal, so it’s in everybody’s best interest to wear a mask for their protection and again to reduce exposure,” NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said on a conference call.
Baltimore AllPro cornerback Marlon Humphrey has confirmed he was one of the positive cases who played Sunday. Results from pregame tests aren’t immediately available. Sills said if the league learns someone is positive during a game, that person would be removed from the game or sideline.
The Ravens added seven players to the Reserve/ COVID19 list Tuesday, including starting linebackers Matthew Judon, Patrick Queen and L. J. Fort and starting safety DeShon Elliott and defensive back Terrell Bonds.
The Packers placed running back AJ Dillon on the Reserve/ COVID19 list Monday and added running back Jamaal Williams and linebacker KaNFL mal Martin to the list as highrisk, close contacts Tuesday.
The Bears placed right guard Germain Ifedi and backup tackle Jason Spriggs on the Reserve/ COVID19 list, and the Lions added linebacker Jarrad Davis to the Reserve/ COVID19 list.
Cowboys’ Dalton out again:
Dallas placed quarterback Andy Dalton on the reserve COVID19 list, keeping him out a second straight game after he was sidelined by a concussion.
Dalton will be the first Dallas player to go on the COVID19 list since before the season. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Cowboys will start Cooper Rush or Garrett Gilbert at quarterback Sunday against Pittsburgh after rookie Ben DiNucci started for Dallas in a loss to the Eagles last Sunday.
Elway tests positive: The novel coronavirus has reached the highest levels of the Broncos’ organization with general manager John Elway and team President Joe Ellis testing positive for the virus.
The Broncos said that both Elway and Ellis have minor symptoms but are “doing well.”
Briefly: Miami traded receiver Isaiah Ford to New England for a sixthround draft pick in 2022. The Patriots also claimed defensive tackle Isaiah Mack off waivers from the Titans and placed tight end Devin Asiasi on injured reserve. The Dolphins also acquired running back DeAndre Washington from Kansas City, and the teams traded conditional lateround draft picks. ... Tennessee released outside linebacker Vic Beasley Jr., and waived long snapper Beau Brinkley and cornerback Johnathan Joseph.