All the NFL Players on COVID Lists Ahead of Week 15 & How League’s New Rules Affect Availability

NFL COVID Protocol Changes

The NFL is now requiring all team personnel, including players, to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.

The league is also requiring teams to hold meetings either remotely or in an outdoor setting, In-person meals have been stopped while restrictions have been added on activities outside team facilities, prohibiting outside visitors during team travel and limiting the amount of people in team weight rooms.

NFL statement on new COVID-19 protocols…. pic.twitter.com/QZLyNm0RMi

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 16, 2021

The updated protocols will be enforced through this week’s games. However, they are expected to continue and possibly be strengthened beyond that point.

Some Good News

On the bright side of the matter, the NFL and NFL Players Association, who are being advised by independent infectious disease experts, have developed a mechanism in the protocols that could lead to shorter stints on the sidelines for player testing positive.

Previously, a vaccinated player who tests positive must had to have two negative tests 24 hours apart and be asymptomatic before being cleared to return.

NFL Tightens Covid Protocols But Allows Players To Return Faster To Play After Testing Negative https://t.co/oo3piNR62U pic.twitter.com/2TsDNHHMoV

— Forbes (@Forbes) December 17, 2021

The new protocols relax that requirement a bit, allowing for two PCR tests or two Mesa tests — or one of each — being negative. The logistics for that could speed up the return of sidelined players.

Three Games Affected

As mentioned above, three games have been affected by the coronavirus.

That comes after the NFL played all games as scheduled through the first 14 weeks of the 2021 season. Every game was also played last season but 15 had to be rescheduled because of COVID-19 issues.

The Browns-Raiders game will be televised by NFL Network on Monday. The league rescheduled the game because of a coronavirus outbreak with the Browns.

If the game had not been changed, the Browns would have been without coach Kevin Stefanski, quarterback Baker Mayfield, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and at least a dozen regulars.

Mayfield isn’t happy with the league, though.

Baker speaks out on how the NFL is changing its COVID-19 testing protocols pic.twitter.com/otC7wr0g9t

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 16, 2021

The Browns could have their coach and all or at least most of the players back by Monday, dependent of course on test results.

The Browns opened as a 5.5-point favorites but that line has dropped to 2.5 points.

Washington has 21 players, including 17 on the active roster, on the COVID-19 list ahead of the Football Team’s game against the Eagles. Among them are starting quarterback Taylor Heinicke and backup Kyle Allen.

Heinicke and Allen could still play if they pass two tests this weekend and remains asymptomatic.

Heinicke got banged up in last week’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys but still found time to straighten up the place.

Wait, Taylor Heinicke was walking off the field and just saw a pair of SCISSOR LAYING IN THE GRASS????pic.twitter.com/mC5cLKFwUF

— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) December 12, 2021

Practice squad quarterback Kyle Shurmur would be in line to start if neither Heinicke nor Allen is available. The son of Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmer has never taken a snap in an NFL regular-season game.

The defense could be missing tackles Jonathan Allen and Matt Ioannidis, edge rushers Montez Sweat and James-Smith Williams and safety Kamren Curl.

The Eagles are seven-point favorites after opening as 3.5-point picks.

The Rams’ COVID list was up to as many as 25 players earlier in the week. While that number has dropped slightly, many key players are still on it.

Defensive back Jalen Ramsey heads a list that also includes linebackers Von Miller and Troy Reeder, wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., running back Darrell Henderson, safety Jordan Fuller and offensive tackle Rob Haverstein.

Highest-graded CBs:

🐏 Jalen Ramsey – 85.3

A.J. Terrell – 83.4
Darius Slay – 83.0
Denzel Ward – 80.2 pic.twitter.com/4xUXfveYVr

— PFF (@PFF) December 8, 2021

The line has only moved slightly in the Rams-Seahawks game, though, from 6.5 points to 5.5.

Other Games Affected

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton could miss Sunday night’s game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Payton is still in isolation, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will assume head coaching duties.

Wide receiver Allen Robinson III, defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and cornerback Artie Burns are on the COVID list for the Chicago Bears ahead of their game against the visiting Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. The Bears could also be without all three coordinators.

The Buffalo Bills could be without offensive tackle Dion Dawkins on Sunday when they host the Carolina Panthers.