NFL Players on and of Covid IR at Start of Season
Several NFL players have contracted Covid which may result in problems moving forward in the season. Thus becoming more problematic if the player effected is a key active player in prime roles such as the quarterback. For the Season, the Covid protocol set into place is as followed:
A player who is fully vaccinated can resume playing after five days if they have no symptoms and two consecutive negative tests, with 24 hours between each test. An unvaccinated player faces at least a 10-day quarantine.
As of now, this is the status of players who have tested positive and have been put on the Covid-19 IR. Then, there are those who were activated from the Covid-19 IR list.
Philadelphia Eagles
At the start, the Philadelphia Eagles has only one player on the Covid-19 IR. And, that player is T.Y. McGuill.
Dallas Cowboys
Unfortunately, offensive Guard Zack Martin is on the Covid-19 IR and will not be cleared in time to play. Also on the Covid-19 IR are Guard Connor Williams and wide receiver Noah Brown. Fortunately, The Cowboys are activating wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, safety Damontae Kazee and defensive tackle Carlos Watkins from the reserve/COVID19 list.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hotshot, Tom Brady is on the Covid-19 IR which puts the Bucks at a big disadvantage. Brady contracted Covid from the Super Bowl Parade celebrating last seasons championship victory.
When asked about it, Brady gave this statement. “I believe it will have a greater impact this year compared to last year, given the current circumstances with stadium capacity, travel, and the presence of fans,” Brady stated. “It’s not the same as last year, even though we are still being tested like before. I expect players to miss games at different times, and we just have to handle it.”
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee has five players still on the Covid-19 IR: starters Nate Davis, Ben Jones and Geoff Swaim; center Cole Banwart and linebacker Justin March-Lillard. Fortunately, the Titans cleared quarterback Ryan Tannehill for play after he tested positive and was placed on the list on August 26th. Now, they have to escalate practice reps with Ryan Tannehill and Julio Jones to maintain chemistry and guarantee performance.
New York Jets
Jets’ wide receiver Jamison Crowder is on the Covid-19 IR after testing positive for COVID-19 which means he won’t appear for the season opener. Despite being Vaccinated, Crowder is still symptomatic and will be considered day-to-day.
Indianapolis Colts
In a turn of events, Colts has three players activated off the Covid-19 IR. Apparently, the players came into close contact with a staff member who tested positive. Moving forward, Colts activated quarterback Carson Wentz (whose is stil on the fence with getting vaccinated), center Ryan Kelly, and receiver Zach Pascal.
In conclusion, in the event that one or more players will be out of commission due to testing positive for Covid-19, strategy will play a bigger role in maintaining success on the field. Coaches and assistant coaches will have to think ahead and prepare back up strategies as the pandemic is not set to end any time soon. So, that means most of the football game will start on paper before it actually begins on the field.
