Chief medical officer says asymptomatic players are not spreading virus

The NFL’s chief medical officer says asymptomatic players are not spreading COVID-19 based on his observations during this season.

Allen Sills appeared on the NFL Network on Thursday, and said the league hasn’t “really not seen this phenomenon that people have discussed, which is asymptomatic people in the facility spreading the virus to others.” He added that the key is “symptom recognition and prompt testing.”

“As we’ve gone back and looked throughout the entire season, what we’ve seen consistently is that when people have symptoms, that’s when they seem to be contagious to others,” he said. “And that’s why we’re asking people to come forward and acknowledge symptoms because that’s the point at which they’re vulnerable and the point at which they expose themselves to others.”

Last weekend, the NFL agreed with the NFL Players Association to scale back testing for vaccinated players. The move aligned with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends “diagnostic testing” only for symptomatic or close-contact vaccinated people and “screening tests” only for unvaccinated people.

The NFL previously required vaccinated players to get tested weekly before amending the protocols. The NFLPA had advocated for daily testing for vaccinated players but eventually agreed to “target” testing.

Vikings

RB Dalvin Cook, who already has his third consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season, was added to the COVID-19 list. Cook has been following protocols for unvaccinated players.

Washington

Quarterback Taylor Heinicke was activated off the COVID-19 list and back at practice running the offense. Heinicke is expected to start Sunday night at the Dallas Cowboys after missing the game at Philadelphia while in virus protocol.

Texans

Houston placed six more players on the COVID-19 list, bringing its total to 22. Four starters — LT Tytus Howard, C Justin Britt, DT Roy Lopez and safety Eric Murray — were among them. The moves come a day after the team placed top receiver Brandin Cooks and kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn on the list.

Jets

Backup quarterback Joe Flacco and right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif were placed on the COVID-19 list.

Thursday’s game

Randy Bullock kicked a 44-yard field goal with four seconds remaining and the banged-up Tennessee Titans rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat the visiting San Francisco 49ers (8-7), 20-17. The Titans (10-5) are a win or a Colts’ loss away from clinching their second consecutive AFC South title despite losing three of their past four games.