NFL updates protocols in response to COVID-19 cases

(AP) — The NFL has updated its protocols successful absorption to an summation successful COVID-19 cases astir the league, and it is pushing booster shots arsenic the astir effectual extortion against the coronavirus.

As portion of its protocol changes, the NFL is requiring masks careless of vaccination presumption and distant oregon outdoor meetings. It besides is stopping in-person meals, and prohibiting extracurricular visitors portion connected squad travel.

“Finally, and based connected adept advice, we volition set the return-to-participation requirements for those who person recovered from COVID-19,” the league said successful its statement. “All of these changes are grounded successful our information and science-backed approach, with information our No. 1 extremity for the full NFL community.”

The Chicago Bears were missing each 3 of their coordinators due to the fact that of COVID-19 protocols arsenic they prepared Thursday for Monday night’s location crippled against the Minnesota Vikings.

Bears manager Matt Nagy said violative coordinator Bill Lazor, antiaircraft coordinator Sean Desai and peculiar teams coordinator Chris Tabor were participating remotely successful meetings this week. Their presumption for the crippled is uncertain.

COVID-19 has deed the Bears hard this week, 1 of galore teams experiencing affirmative tests. Approximately 100 players crossed the 32 teams person tested positive.

Chicago enactment 5 players connected the COVID-19 reserve database since Monday and person six connected it overall. And present the coordinators are successful the protocol.

Players connected the COVID-19 database are tackle Larry Borom, tackle Elijah Wilkinson, chemoreceptor tackle Eddie Goldman, cornerback Artie Burns, antiaircraft tackle Mario Edwards Jr., and signifier squad linebacker Sam Kamara.

As a result, on with different much accepted illnesses and injuries, Nagy decided to clasp a walk-through signifier connected Wednesday alternatively than a afloat practice.

Nagy missed a crippled earlier this twelvemonth against San Francisco, a 33-22 loss, due to the fact that of COVID-19 issues, and Tabor coached the Bears.

Washington placed 3 much players connected the COVID-19 database Thursday, pursuing 8 Wednesday. The squad full is 21, including 2 players connected injured reserve and 2 connected the signifier squad. Safety Sam Curl was the lone starter added to the list, and was joined by centers Keith Ismael and Tyler Larsen.

Curl joins chap antiaircraft starters successful lineman Jon Allen and cornerback Kendall Fuller connected the list. Washington could beryllium down to its 5th enactment astatine halfway due to the fact that of coronavirus and wounded problems.

Also:

—Seattle mightiness beryllium without 1 of its stars, receiver Tyler Lockett, who was enactment connected the COVID-19 database Thursday on with moving backmost Alex Collins. The Seahawks had nary players trial affirmative successful the 2020 season, but person had 3 this year: Tight extremity Gerald Everett was the different successful September.

Lockett has a team-high 62 receptions for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns. Last week Lockett became the 2nd subordinate successful franchise past with 3 consecutive seasons with astatine slightest 1,000 yards receiving, joining Hall of Famer Steve Largent.

Lockett had 5 catches for 142 yards and a touchdown past week against Houston and is 35 yards abbreviated of mounting a vocation precocious for a season.

Collins has served arsenic a starter for astir of this play aft Chris Carson was mislaid to a season-ending cervix wounded successful Week 4. But Collins has played done respective ailments.

—Cleveland choky extremity David Njoku was activated from the COVID-19 list, adding a playmaker heading into Saturday’s crippled against Las Vegas. On Wednesday, the microorganism shelved manager Kevin Stefanski and backmost Baker Mayfield, whose presumption for this week remains successful question. The Browns had 17 players, including 10 starters, connected the COVID-19 database and are placing information Ronnie Harrison there. Starting information James Johnson III and nickel backmost Troy Hill some tested affirmative connected Wednesday and rookie cornerback Greg Newsome II has been ruled retired with a concussion.

—Saints manager Sean Payton returned to signifier connected Thursday aft staying location connected Wednesday, erstwhile the squad said the manager was “under the weather,” but had tested antagonistic for COVID-19.

Payton had participated successful a league telephone with reporters connected Wednesday greeting without mentioning he’d beryllium missing signifier aboriginal that day. The Saints said Payton worked from location and participated successful meetings via videoconference connected Wednesday earlier returning to squad office connected Thursday.

—Miami rookie receiver Jaylen Waddle’s sensational play could beryllium connected hold. Waddle has been placed successful the coronavirus protocol. The sixth wide draught prime already acceptable a franchise grounds for receptions by a rookie with 86. He has 849 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns.

The Dolphins big the Jets connected Sunday.