In the wake of the Titans’ COVID-19 outbreak, the NFL announced that it will continue testing all players and coaches on a daily basis, with the exception of game days. And, in a new development, players and coaches will be barred from leaving their team’s city during bye weeks to further mitigate the potential for viral contraction and spread.
[RELATED: Latest On Titans’ COVID-19 Outbreak]
The penalties for missed tests will also continue. A player who misses one test without prior authorization will receive a $50K fine. Two missed tests will result in a one-game ban, and any missed tests beyond that will lead to longer suspensions, also without pay.
In related news, Sunday’s game between the Texans and Vikings will go on as scheduled, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). For now, Titans-Steelers represents the only game to be bumped from the Week 4 slate.
Is barring them from leaving their team’s city actually going to change anything? You can go out, just do it in your own city because that’s somehow safer. Like you can talk…just…use your hands.
Like 95% of rules made during the pandemic, it is totally arbitrary and not based on common sense. Some people just think having more rules helps.
That’s not even close to being true, but keep being delusional.
I think the idea is that it’s not to protect them, but to prevent them from spreading beyond their local areas if they’re already contagious.
The biggest problem with having an NFL team congregate is not that you could create an outbreak of 80 people (or whatever number you want to represent a roster plus coaches and immediate support staff), but that you could turn one contagious person into 80 contagious people who all disperse into the world after team functions.
I agree with Oooof, but I do also think there is a very minor benefit of being more familiar with your surroundings. If you go elsewhere, everything becomes a new variable.
Actually I think the idea is as it stands now, when the team travels, it does so on a charter. They do not have to go through a crowded airport and crowded checkpoints and crowded gate areas. They have less contact with others traveling as a team. If they would disburse during a bye week and they travel, they have all of that extra contact. Multiple players going to multiple destinations and more chance of contracting the virus and possibly spreading it to the team when they return. It does not mean that any player will not contract the virus but it does help decrease the odds./
Players can’t leave the city as in what? NYJ and NYG players have to stay in East Rutherford, NJ?
Lot of players like to fly south with their families for a quick vacation during the bye week increasing their chances of contracting the virus and bringing it back to the team. Perfectly normal thing for the NFL to institute really. Hockey and basketball players confined themselves to a bubble. I don’t think the NFL is asking too much.
The NFL is out of control, I find these new rules to be lewd, lascivious, salacious, outrageous!
This is capricious and arbitrary!
Your fly’s open.