TODAY: Good news for the Lions. Stafford has been removed from the COVID-19 list and has been placed back on the active roster, per a team statement. Apparently, the third test that he was required to take before entering team facilities resulted in what turned out to be a false positive, but his next three tests were all negative. Neither Stafford nor any members of his household have (or had) COVID-19.
AUGUST 1: The Lions placed Matthew Stafford on their reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday. He joins Kenny Golladay, T.J. Hockenson and Justin Coleman on Detroit’s list.
Placement on this list does not mean these players tested positive for the coronavirus. The list also includes players who are quarantining because they came in contact with someone who has tested positive. Stafford will join Golladay, Hockenson and Coleman in being away from the bulk of Lions teammates for the time being.
Thus far, Stafford is the NFL’s highest-profile player to land on the COVID list. He is, however, believed to be asymptomatic at this time, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).
Cornerback Amani Oruwariye, punter Arryn Siposs, safety Jalen Elliott and tight end Isaac Nauta are also on Detroit’s reserve/COVID list. Among the Lions’ group, as of Saturday, it is known Coleman tested positive, though NFL.com reported the veteran slot corner is asymptomatic.
If Stafford tested positive, he will be required to miss at least five days. This waiting period is only for asymptomatic players. Players who test positive and have symptoms for the virus must miss at least 10 days. That number is fluid; it depends on symptoms players experience. Players who land in either category must test negative twice before rejoining the team.
In this altered training camp format, practices do not begin until Aug. 12. Full practices do not start until Aug. 17, so the Lions have a bit of time for their group of starters to return. Teams begin their strength and conditioning-based acclimation periods Monday. Of course, this all depends on the players’ issues with the virus.
Ouch. Hard to see Detroit even having a team at the moment. There are a lot of significant names of that list for them.
They didn’t have a team even when those guys were playing.
Original
do they even need a team they dont play real games for a month. so no big deal if they even start on time.
How the NFL actually thinks they’ll have a season is beyond me. First game…numerous players test positive…Roger feels the pressure and shuts it down…smh
The thing that will bother Goodell the most is that he can’t fine and suspend Covid for conduct detrimental to the league.
False Positive? Hmm, could other false positives be reported buy NOT retracted? I mean for everyone that doesn’t have the opportunity for daily tests.
Probably. I work at a hospital and some of that is expected, but keep in mind that there are also false negatives. It is still a new version of a disease that they haven’t completely figured out yet, and a lot of the test manufacturing is very rushed. Part of that is professional sports fault. My hospital doesn’t have the spare tests to have given me even one even though I’ve been exposed multiple times, but sports go through thousands a day. Worrying about a few false positives is a luxury for them. Don’t worry about “conspiracy”, The numbers seem to balance out.