Protocol breaches will cost Raiders pick, fines
The Raiders are the first NFL team to lose a draft pick over coronavirus protocol violations. They’ll lose a sixth-round selection for repeated missteps related to the virus.
The league will strip the Raiders of the pick in 2021, according to Yahoo’s Charles Robinson, in addition to levying significant fines against the team and head coach Jon Gruden. ESPN and NFL Network confirmed the Yahoo report.
The Raiders organization will be hit with a fine of $500,000 while Gruden faces a $150,000 bill.
Gruden declined comment when reached by this news organization Thursday evening. The NFL has not yet responded to a request for confirmation.
Robinson reports that the deciding factor in the NFL’s discipline is related to Trent Brown’s October stint on the COVID reserve list.
The Raiders offensive line was reportedly seen on video spending time together unmasked around the time of Brown’s positive test, and an NFL investigation reportedly found Brown removed his leaguemandated tracking device.
Brown was again placed on the league’s coronavirus reserve list Thursday, despite coming off the list and nearly playing against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The Raiders tackle suffered a medical issue prior to the game, reportedly from an IV administered to him, and was hospitalized in Cleveland before eventually returning to Las Vegas on Tuesday. The Raiders have maintained that Brown’s medical issue Sunday was not related to the virus, but they have not
said why he has returned to the virus reserve list.
The Raiders have had other coronavirus protocol issues totally unrelated to Brown. Gruden and the team were fined in September for the coach’s failure to wear his mask properly on the sidelines throughout the Raiders’ first two games.
Several Raiders players were also fined last month after being seen without masks at a Las Vegas fundraiser for Darren Waller’s charity.
When Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported on Oct. 26 the Raiders could be line line for fines and potential loss of a draft pick, Gruden was asked about the potential discipline the next day.
“I have not heard anything from anybody other than what they have seen us do is extremely positive,” Gruden said. “We have renovated our facility. We have done everything we can to follow protocol. We’re excited about beating the virus.”
What is unclear is if Raiders players who were in contact with Brown after he was cleared the first time are subject to contract tracing and being designated as “high risk,” which could lead to additional players on the COVID-19 list heading into Sunday’s road game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
• Something to keep an eye on for today’s practice: Johnathan Abram missed his second straight day with an illness.
Running back Josh Jacobs, a full participant on Wednesday, sat out on Thursday with “illness” added to his existing “knee” designation.
Running back Theo Riddick, meanwhile, was signed from the practice squad. Riddick was also active Week 4 in a game in which both Jacobs and Devontae Booker were available, so his promotion isn’t necessarily because Jacobs is hurt or ill.
The biggest injury concern is left tackle Kolton Miller, who missed his second consecutive day with an ankle injury. Miller rarely misses practice. Cornerback Travyon Mullen was limited in practice with a hamstring designation after not being listed on Wednesday. Defensive end Arden Key remains out with a foot injury.
• Wide receiver Bryan Edwards was a full participant in practice and could be active for the first time since injuring his ankle Week 3 against New England.