The Jaguars announced that a player on their practice squad has tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, the team will be holding virtual meetings today, and their game against the Lions tomorrow is still expected to be played.
“Last night, we received results from our daily PCR testing that revealed an individual on our practice squad tested positive for COVID-19,” the team said in a statement. “After confirming the positive test, our organization began working with the NFL to review contact tracing data while the player self-isolated.
“As a precautionary measure for today, we made the decision to conduct our football activities remotely while following the NFL protocols and recommendations. This decision was made in consultation with the NFL and the team’s medical advisors. The health and safety of our players, coaches and staff, as well as their families, as our top priority.”
NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets that every member of the organization received rapid-result tests this morning.
While the news isn’t great in Jacksonville, it’s a bit better in New England. ESPN’s Mike Reiss reports that the Patriots opened their team facility on Saturday. The Pats join the Colts and Falcons among teams that have reopened facilities over the past 24 hours. New England canceled practice on Friday after another player tested positive for COVID-19.
Doesn’t Covid have a two week transmission period? I’m not trying to stir up controversy, but I am skeptical as to how teams like the Patriots can continue practicing after a player tested positive just two days ago. Am I missing something? I’m honestly curious, so please don’t respond with some belligerent comment
It has an incubation period of up to 14 days, before someone starts showing symptoms, though I believe you can test positive before that if you have enough of a viral load, and you can absolutely be contagious during the incubation period.
You can also be asymptomatic and sho little or no symptoms (this is how the virus presents in children whose immune systems aren’t as mature as adults). You are also contagious this way.
Now, to answer your question: I don’t know why the league is doing this. I’d imagine if it were a cluster of confirmed positives (there are presumptive positives and then retesting to confirm those positives), kinda like what happened with Tennessee, then they wouldn’t be practicing. But the NFL (compared to other leagues) really just doesn’t seem to be enforcing whatever protocols they have in place, at least that’s how I see it. I’ll be genuinely amazed if a Super Bowl happens this year as we are already seeing spikes in cases and the full force of winter is still a month and a half away.
Thank you for the well-written explanation. Unfortunately, you confirmed my worst fears: the NFL is once again prioritizing money over player safety
Great response most would be jackazz about it it answered questions I had also so ty
Can’t stop the NFL
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