All NFL teams to enter intensive COVID-19 protocol Saturday
The NFL is placing all teams in intensive protocol starting Saturday to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 as the number of cases rises around the country.
Use of masks will be mandatory at all times at team facilities, including during practice and in weight rooms. Meetings must be held either virtually or in the largest indoor space with approval by the league. Meals have to be made available for graband-go to avoid players and staff congregating in cafeterias. Time spent in the locker room also has to be limited.
Clubs operating under the intensive protocols have reduced close contacts by more than 50% since the fifth week of the regular season, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press that was sent from NFL Commissioner Roger Goo dell to team son Wednesday.
So far, 28 teams have entered intensive protocol at some point and 16 teams have done it more than once.
The NFL said Tuesday there were 17 new confirmed positives among players and 35 among other personnel during testing from Nov. 8-14. That brought the league's total to 95 players and 175 other personnel since Aug. 1, not counting new cases this week.
OFFICIALS: The NFL will have an all-Black officiating crew for the first time in league history when the Rams play the Buccaneers on Monday night. The crew consists of: referee Jerome Boger, umpire Barry Anderson, down judge Julian Mapp, line judge Carl Johnson, side judge Dale Shaw, field judge Anthony Jeffries and back judge Greg Steed. The crew has a combined 89 seasons in the league and has worked six Super Bowls.
BROWNS: Cleveland three more players — starting right tackle Jack Conklin, kicker Cody Parkey and long snapper Charley Hughlett — on the COVID19 list.
CARDINALS: Defensive tackle Corey Peters is out for the rest of the season because of a knee injury. The 32-year-old Peters was hurt just before halftime of Arizona's 32-30 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Coach Kliff Kingsbury confirmed on Wednesday that Peters would miss the final seven games of the regular season.
GIANTS: New York has offensive line coach Marc Colombo. Coach Joe Judge announced the stunning move on Wednesday without an explanation. Veteran line coach Dave DeGuglielmo will finish the season running the line.
PANTHERS: Coach Matt Rhule said running back Christian McCaffrey is expected to miss Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions, a big blow for a team looking to snap a five-game losing streak. Rhule said he also expects left tackle Russell Okung (calf) and cornerback Donte Jackson (toe) to miss the game, while quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's status remains unclear after he was limited in practice on Wednesday.
RAIDERS: Las Vegas placed seven more players on the COVID-19 list as “high risk” close contacts with teammate Clelin Ferrell after he tested positive for the coronavirus. Ferrell, a starting defensive end, was placed on the list Tuesday following his positive test, along with defensive back Lamarcus Joyner. Safety Johnathan Abram, defensive tackle Maliek Collins, defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, defensive lineman David Irving, cornerback Isaiah Johnson, defensive end Arden Key and defensive tackle Kendal Vickers were added to the list on Wednesday after contact tracing.
49ERS: San Francisco claimed defensive lineman Takk McKinley off waivers from the Cincinnati Bengals. The team also placed defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw on the COVID-19 list Wednesday. Defensive lineman Arik Armstead went on the list earlier this week after a positive test and the team was conducting contact tracing to determine if anyone else needed to go on it as well.