Goodell: Forfeits possible for NFL virus protocol violations
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is warning the league’s 32 teams of penalties including potential forfeits of games for violations of COVID-19 protocols that force changes in the schedule.
In a memo sent to the teams Monday after a conference call involving NFL and club executives, Goodell reiterated the need to adhere fully to all of the league’s health and safety guidelines.
“Protocol violations that result in virus spread requiring adjustments to the schedule or otherwise impacting other teams will result in additional financial and competitive discipline, including the adjustment or loss of draft choices or even the forfeit of a game,” Goodell wrote in the memo obtained by The Associated Press.
“Simply put, compliance is mandatory. Now is the time to recommit ourselves to our protocols and best practices for the duration of the season.”
The NFL was forced to reschedule Sunday’s game between the Steelers and Titans when Tennessee had the league’s first coronavirus outbreak, which has affected 20 organization members, including 10 players. That game was moved to Week 7, causing adjustments that also impacted the Baltimore Ravens.
And New England’s game at Kansas City was moved from Sunday to Monday night after Patriots quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19, as did Chiefs practice squad quarterback Jordan Ta‘amu.
The league and the players’ association are instituting ramped up health and safety procedures in the wake of the Titans’ outbreak, including a longer onboarding process for free agent tryouts, bans on gatherings outside of the club facility, limitations on the number of tryouts permitted per week, and implementation of a league-wide video monitoring system to ensure compliance with the protocols.
TEXANS: The Houston Texans fired coach and general manager Bill O’Brien on Monday.
The firing comes a day after Sunday’s 31-23 loss to the Vikings dropped the Texans to 0-4 for the first time since 2008.
After assuming the role of general manager in the offseason, O’Brien received almost universal criticism when he shipped superstar receiver DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona for running back David Johnson and draft picks.
O’Brien was in his seventh season in Houston, where he compiled a 52-48 record. He won the AFC South four times in his tenure, including the past two years.
Romeo Crennel, who was the team’s assistant head coach, will serve as interim coach for the rest of the season.
CHARGERS: Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler will be out for at least the next three games because of a hamstring injury he suffered during Sunday’s 3831 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ekeler was injured during the first quarter and came into the game leading the AFC with 378 scrimmage yards.
Coach Anthony Lynn said on Monday that Ekeler is getting a second opinion on the severity of the injury.
BROWNS: Nick Chubb, Cleveland’s powerful Pro Bowl running back, will miss “several weeks” with a sprained ligament in his right knee.
Chubb injured his medial collateral ligament in the first quarter of Sunday’s 49-38 win over the Cowboys.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Chubb will be placed on injured reserve. Unlike previous seasons, teams can put players on the injured list and bring them back after a minimum of three games.
Stefanski expressed relief that Chubb’s injury was not more serious, and said the unassuming 24-year-old does not need surgery, but the coach would not speculate on a timetable for Chubb’s return.