Report: 47 players go out after NFL begins ‘targeted’ virus tests

Several asymptomatic, vaccinated NFL players tested positive for COVID-19 on the first day of“targeted”testing, a person familiar with the results told The Associated Press on Monday.

Overall, 47 players were placed on the reserve/covid-19 list, the most in a single day since the pandemic began. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of privacy issues, didn’t specify how many of the players are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated.

Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce, Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa and Lions quarterback Jared Goff are among the players who landed on the reserve list. Bosa will miss this week’s game, coach Brandon Staley said.

Players who test positive must quarantine until they’re cleared to return. Under the NFL’S revised protocols that went into effect Monday, asymptomatic, vaccinated players can return in less than 10 days.

Jets guard Laurent Duvernaytardif, who opted out last year to work on the pandemic’s front lines, was asked about the chances some players might try to conceal their symptoms in order to continue playing.

“Of course that’s the down side, and I guess we’ll know more in the next week and we’ll see after next Sunday what really happened in terms of the number of cases and everything,” said Duvernay-tardif, who has a doctorate in medicine and a master’s in surgery.“i just hope that guys are going to be honest with themselves, because at the end of the day they’re putting me at risk as a player who’s following the rules and the guidelines because they’re going on the field with symptoms.”