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NFL slashes quarantine time for vaccinated AND unvaccinated players who test positive for COVID-19 from 10 days to five, following CDC guidance

  The NFL is reducing isolation time for players who test positive for COVID-19 and are asymptomatic, including unvaccinated players, from 1...

 The NFL is reducing isolation time for players who test positive for COVID-19 and are asymptomatic, including unvaccinated players, from 10 days to five.

The league and the NFL Players Association revised the protocols on Tuesday after the CDC changed its guidelines for those who are asymptomatic, recommending a five-day isolation period and masking over the second five days.

The changes could allow Colts quarterback Carson Wentz to return for Sunday's key game against Las Vegas after Indianapolis placed him on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

It was not immediately clear whether Wentz, who is unvaccinated, tested positive for the virus or was deemed a close contact to someone else who had tested positive. However, if Wentz has no symptoms, he could be cleared to play.

The league and the NFL Players Association revised the protocols on Tuesday after the CDC changed its guidelines for those who are asymptomatic, recommending a five-day isolation period and masking over the second five days. The changes could allow Colts quarterback Carson Wentz to return for Sunday's key game against Las Vegas after Indianapolis placed him on the reserve/COVID-19 list. It was not immediately clear whether Wentz, who is unvaccinated, tested positive for the virus or was deemed a close contact to someone else who had tested positive. However, if Wentz has no symptoms, he could be cleared to play

The league and the NFL Players Association revised the protocols on Tuesday after the CDC changed its guidelines for those who are asymptomatic, recommending a five-day isolation period and masking over the second five days. The changes could allow Colts quarterback Carson Wentz to return for Sunday's key game against Las Vegas after Indianapolis placed him on the reserve/COVID-19 list. It was not immediately clear whether Wentz, who is unvaccinated, tested positive for the virus or was deemed a close contact to someone else who had tested positive. However, if Wentz has no symptoms, he could be cleared to play

In a memo sent to teams on Tuesday, the league explained that players and essential football personnel can return under the following conditions:

  • Five days have passed since a positive COVID-19 test.
  • At least 24 hours have passed since the individual last had a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
  • Other symptoms, including a cough, have resolved or improved.
  • The club's head primary care sports medicine physician, after consultation with Infection Control for Sports and notification of the NFL chief medical officer, determines that the individual may return to the club facility and interact with other club employees/contractors.
  • Any local regulations or requirements are satisfied.

Fully vaccinated individuals may continue to 'test out' of isolation sooner than five days after the positive test, and should stop testing at Day 5 and return under the updated guidance, assuming all other perquisites have been satisfied.


Masks must be worn on the sideline and at all times except when playing and practicing for five days after return.

Masks must be worn by all players and staff indoors at team facilities. Players and staff are not permitted to eat together. A limit of 15 people applies for weight rooms. Also, even fully vaccinated staff and players are encouraged to avoid public areas including restaurants, bars and social gatherings.

The NFL set an unfortunate record on Monday by placing a record 106 players on the league's COVID-19 list, nearly doubling the previous single-day mark.

All of the players have tested positive for the virus, including 96 who were found to be infected during Monday's screenings, according to NFL Network. 

Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon is among several New England players in the protocol

Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon is among several New England players in the protocol 

The NFL is also mandating booster shots for league media, who will need to receive the injection by January 12 in order to apply for playoff and Super Bowl LVI credentials.

There will be several exceptions for media members, including: 

  • Those who are not eligible for a booster pursuant to the CDC definition; or
  • Those who tested positive for COVID in the past 90 days; OR
  • Those who received monoclonal antibodies within the immediately preceding 90 days

The Tennessee Titans, who can clinch the AFC South with either a win or a Colts loss, added linebacker Jayon Brown and practice squad receiver Cody Hollister, who has played three of the past four games including one start. They later added defensive end Denico Autry, who has eight sacks this season, to bring the Titans' total to 10, not counting an 11th player out for the season on injured reserve.

The timing couldn't be worse for the Colts, who have rebounded from a 1-4 start to win eight of their past 10. They can clinch one of the seven AFC playoff spots with a win over the Raiders.

Indy's move comes one day after five players, including right tackle Braden Smith, were added to a rapidly expanding COVID-19 list.

Wentz's backup is rookie Sam Ehlinger, who has played in three games but has not thrown a pass this season. He was a sixth-round draft pick. Veteran Brett Hundley and James Morgan are on Indy's practice squad. Hundley has gone 3-6 as a starter during his NFL career.

Wentz's backup is rookie Sam Ehlinger (pictured), who has played in three games but has not thrown a pass this season. He was a sixth-round draft pick. Veteran Brett Hundley and James Morgan are on Indy's practice squad. Hundley has gone 3-6 as a starter during his NFL career

Wentz's backup is rookie Sam Ehlinger (pictured), who has played in three games but has not thrown a pass this season. He was a sixth-round draft pick. Veteran Brett Hundley and James Morgan are on Indy's practice squad. Hundley has gone 3-6 as a starter during his NFL career

Indy won Saturday at Arizona despite missing six starters because of COVID-19 and losing two more in the first half. The absences forced the Colts to play with only one of their five regular offensive line starters, Smith.

It's unclear how many, if any, of those players may return Sunday.

Elsewhere, Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently isolating at home.

The team said Tuesday that assistant head coach/run game coordinator Harold Goodwin will serve as interim head coach in Arians' absence. The reigning Super Bowl champions visit the New York Jets on Sunday.

Arians said in a statement released by the team: 'I tested positive for COVID-19 this morning but have only experienced mild symptoms to this point. Harold Goodwin will take over my duties during my absence. I have complete confidence in him and the rest of our coaching staff to prepare the team for this week's game against the Jets. I look forward to rejoining the team and being back in the facility as soon as I can test back in.'

A fan holds a sign saying "We hate COVID! Go Browns!" during the second half of the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Raiders on December 20 in Cleveland

A fan holds a sign saying "We hate COVID! Go Browns!" during the second half of the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Raiders on December 20 in Cleveland

Meanwhile, the Bucs also placed cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting on the reserve/COVID-19 list. That increases the number of Tampa Bay players on the list to five.

Also:

- Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones could be without his top backup against the Jaguars after veteran Brian Hoyer was added to the reserve/COVID-19 list, along with linebackers Josh Uche and Brandon King.

Hoyer, who is on his fourth stint in New England, has previously served in backup roles to Tom Brady and Cam Newton. He has been Jones' backup for each of the first 15 games this season.

If Hoyer is unavailable, 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham could move into that role. The promotion would come a little more than a month after Stidham was added back onto the active roster after starting the season on injured reserve with a back injury. He has appeared in eight career games.

FOX sideline reporter Erin Andrews interviews Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) after the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants on October 10. The NFL is also mandating booster shots for league media, who will need to receive the injection by January 12 in order to apply for playoff and Super Bowl LVI credentials

FOX sideline reporter Erin Andrews interviews Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) after the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants on October 10. The NFL is also mandating booster shots for league media, who will need to receive the injection by January 12 in order to apply for playoff and Super Bowl LVI credentials

Hoyer, Uche and King make it five Patriots players who have been added to the COVID-19 list in two days. Linebackers Matt Judon and Ja'Whaun Bentley, two of the Patriots' most productive defensive players, were added Monday. While New England has some depth at linebacker, Judon has been its best pass rusher and leads the team with 12 1/2 sacks.

Linebackers coach Jerod Mayo said Tuesday that the team is prepared to adjust as necessary on defense.

The Green Bay Packers placed tight end Marcedes Lewis (pictured) and linebacker Oren Burks on the reserve/COVID-19 list. That comes one day after the Packers placed guard Ben Braden, linebacker Tipa Galeai, wide receiver/punt returner Amari Rodgers and linebacker Ty Summers on the list and put defensive lineman R.J. McIntosh on the practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list

The Green Bay Packers placed tight end Marcedes Lewis (pictured) and linebacker Oren Burks on the reserve/COVID-19 list. That comes one day after the Packers placed guard Ben Braden, linebacker Tipa Galeai, wide receiver/punt returner Amari Rodgers and linebacker Ty Summers on the list and put defensive lineman R.J. McIntosh on the practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list

'We still have guys in our room that played a lot of ball, and I would also say, you either can replace people with another person or you can replace it through scheme,' Mayo said. 'So we're still going through that process right now. Who do we want to put out on the field, what the game plan is for this week, but at the end of the day, the guys that are out there, they'll be ready to go. Hopefully we get those guys back, but just like I said earlier, we've just got to treat it as an injury.'

- The Green Bay Packers placed tight end Marcedes Lewis and linebacker Oren Burks on the reserve/COVID-19 list. That comes one day after the Packers placed guard Ben Braden, linebacker Tipa Galeai, wide receiver/punt returner Amari Rodgers and linebacker Ty Summers on the list and put defensive lineman R.J. McIntosh on the practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list.

- The Baltimore Ravens lost another starter to the reserve/COVID-19 list, putting linebacker Tyus Bowser on it Tuesday. Bowser has a career-high six sacks on the season. The Ravens also put defensive back Ar'Darius Washington on the list. They did activate cornerback Chris Westry from the list.

- The Jacksonville Jaguars placed three more players on the reserve/COVID-19 list: tight end Jacob Hollister, defensive tackle Jay Tufele and linebacker Damien Wilson. That brings the team's total to 19 players on the list, including eight defensive linemen and four tight ends.

- The Cincinnati Bengals placed wide receiver Auden Tate on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Tate hasn't played since Week 7 and is on injured reserve because of a calf injury.

- The Philadelphia Eagles placed wide receiver John Hightower on the practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list.

A cheerleader for the Los Angeles Rams wears a mask during the second half of a game against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium on December 21

A cheerleader for the Los Angeles Rams wears a mask during the second half of a game against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium on December 21

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