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COVID-19 News & Rumors

Packers Place Jordan Love, Krys Barnes On Reserve/COVID-19 List

November 6th, 2020 at 3:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Packers have run into more trouble with the coronavirus, joining several teams in that regard this week. After seeing COVID-19 deplete their backfield, the Packers learned one of their starting defenders played Thursday night before testing positive Friday morning, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Linebacker Krys Barnes landed on Green Bay’s reserve/COVID-19 list Friday. The Packers also placed rookie quarterback Jordan Love on the list. Barnes tested positive for the coronavirus, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. It is not known if Love has tested positive. He may well be a close contact. Players do not have to test positive to be placed on a team’s reserve/COVID list.

Considering the timeline here, this is obviously a key situation for the Packers. A UDFA out of UCLA, Barnes started and played 25 snaps for the Packers. He left the game with a calf injury. Barnes has started all but one Packers game this season.

The Packers were already without running backs A.J. Dillon and Jamaal Williams; Dillon tested positive earlier this week.

49ers To Sign Josh Johnson

November 6th, 2020 at 12:56pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers are set to sign quarterback Josh Johnson, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic (on Twitter). Once he clears COVID-19 protocols, Johnson will be added to the club’s practice squad. 

[RELATED: 49ers’ Bourne Tests Negative]

Johnson, 34, was last seen with the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL. Before the season even started, the veteran had an offer on the table from the Lions. However, the XFL stepped in and blocked him from that deal. Over the years, Johnson has signed deals with 13 different teams. That includes multiple stints with the 49ers in 2012 and 2014.

Now, he’ll backstop a QB room that has been without starter Jimmy Garoppolo for weeks. On that front, the Niners got some good news — doctors are not currently recommending surgery to fix his ankle injury and the hope is that he can return before the season is through. For the time being, he’ll remain on IR.

Nick Mullens served as the 49ers’ starter on Thursday against the Packers with C.J. Beathard as the QB2. After Mullens forced some bad throws, it’s possible that the depth chart could be reshuffled between now and their next game against the Saints.

49ers’ Kendrick Bourne Tests Negative

November 6th, 2020 at 12:01pm CST by Zachary Links

49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is now eligible to return. After his COVID-19 positive on Wednesday, Bourne has received two consecutive COVID-19 negatives (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). In addition, fellow wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel have also been the greenlight, along with left tackle Trent Williams. 

Bourne was one of several 49ers players held out of Thursday night’s game due to protocols. Playing shorthanded, the Niners lost 34-17. Bourne’s latest results seem to point to a false positive on the first test, and his camp is predictably miffed.

“It’s frustrating because Kendrick has been really responsible with everything,” agent Henry Organ said. “He’s taken COVID-19 very seriously. It’s not a joke to him.”

Through eight games this year, Bourne has caught 25 passes for 352 yards and one touchdown. His last outing was his best yet — Bourne registered eight grabs for 81 yards against the Seahawks, making the most out of his ten targets.

With their roster largely restocked, Bourne and the 49ers will turn their attention to the Saints, following their bye week.

Raiders Lose Draft Pick For COVID Violations

November 6th, 2020 at 9:49am CST by Zachary Links

The NFL will fine the Raiders $500K and strip the team of a sixth-round pick for their COVID-19 protocol violations (Twitter link via Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports). They’ve also fined head coach Jon Gruden $150K for infractions stemming from Trent Brown‘s positive test late last month.

In total, the Raiders have been fined $1.2MM for COVID-19 protocol violations. Now, they’ve become the first team to lose a draft pick over them. Gruden, meanwhile, has been docked a grand sum of $250K by the league office. Quarterback Derek Carr and many other Raiders players were also previously fined for not wearing a mask at a charity event.

The latest wave of sanctions has also impacted the Steelers. Head coach Mike Tomlin was fined $100K for not wearing his mask against the Ravens in Week 8 and the franchise was fined $250K in total. That game has came under additional scrutiny after Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey tested positive for the coronavirus.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/5/20

November 5th, 2020 at 4:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

  • Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Matt Judon

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

  • Signed off Raiders’ practice squad: CB Dylan Mabin

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Marcus Epps; Epps tested positive for the coronavirus but is believed to be asymptomatic, per Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link)

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Trent Brown Back On Raiders’ Reserve/COVID-19 List

November 5th, 2020 at 3:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Trent Brown has run into several issues that have impacted his availability this season. After another transaction Thursday, the Raiders right tackle will miss another game.

The Raiders placed Brown on their reserve/COVID-19 list, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Brown landing back on the coronavirus list would force him to isolate for five days. Brown is still experiencing complications from his bout with the virus, Albert Breer of SI.com reports (Twitter link). He will miss the Raiders’ Week 9 game against the Chargers.

Brown landed on the list two weeks ago, after testing positive for COVID-19, and missed the Raiders’ Week 7 game against the Buccaneers. While Brown came off the list last week and was on track to resume his season in Cleveland, a scary pregame IV mishap forced the 380-pound lineman to be hospitalized Sunday. He was discharged from that hospital Sunday night.

After being the rare right tackle to make the Pro Bowl last season, Brown has only played 73 snaps in 2020. He suffered a pectoral injury in Week 1, returned in Week 5 to help the Raiders upset the Chiefs but has not played since. Considering Brown’s weight makes him a higher risk for developing coronavirus complications, the sixth-year blocker continuing to experience issues is certainly a situation to monitor for the Raiders and the NFL.

Chiefs Place Chris Jones On Reserve/COVID-19 List

November 5th, 2020 at 3:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chiefs had a staffer recently test positive for COVID-19 and may be observing some fallout. They placed Chris Jones on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

Jones will be forced to isolate for five days and, unless his close contact with the person who tested positive came before Wednesday, will miss the Chiefs’ Week 9 game against the Panthers.

Chiefs VP of Sports Medicine and Performance Rick Burkholder tested positive for the coronavirus, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. With Burkholder serving as a Chiefs trainer, it is possible the team will place more players on its COVID-19 list ahead of Week 9.

Jones has not tested positive, per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter), but instead profiles as a close contact. This close contact may well have been separate from Burkholder’s positive test, with Albert Breer of SI.com tweeting Jones’ encounter with a COVID-positive person occurred outside the Chiefs’ facility.

The Chiefs gave Jones a four-year, $80MM extension this summer. The NFL’s record holder for consecutive games with a sack, Jones has anchored Kansas City’s defensive line for years. The fifth-year defensive tackle has 4.5 sacks this season.

Latest On Texans’ COVID-19 Situation

November 5th, 2020 at 1:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Texans are working remotely Thursday and found out they will be without at least three linebackers this week. Jacob Martin tested positive for COVID-19, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Additionally, Whitney Mercilus has been deemed a high-risk close contact and will go on the Texans’ reserve/COVID-19 list. The Texans placed Mercilus and linebacker Dylan Cole on their COVID list, where guard Max Scharping remains.

Romeo Crennel said Martin and Scharping have experienced mild symptoms, per the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter). Obtained in 2019’s Jadeveon Clowney trade, Martin has two sacks for the Texans this season. Given a recent extension, Mercilus is tied for the team lead with three midway through his ninth season in Houston. The Texans are down to two outside linebackers, with Kyle Emanuel in concussion protocol, and three inside ‘backers ahead of their Week 9 game.

The Texans join the Bears, Broncos, Cardinals, Packers, Ravens and 49ers as teams who have dealt with new COVID-19 developments this week. The U.S. documented more than 100,000 cases Wednesday, marking the first time the number entered six-figure territory since the pandemic began. As of 1:30pm CT, the NFL is proceeding with Green Bay’s Thursday game in San Francisco, despite both the Packers and 49ers having position groups decimated by the league’s coronavirus protocols. The Texans’ game in Jacksonville remains scheduled for noon CT Sunday.

Bears, Texans Close Team Facilities

November 5th, 2020 at 10:47am CST by Zachary Links

The Bears and Texans closed their team facilities on Thursday morning in the wake of COVID-19 positives. As of this writing, the Bears are scheduled to face the Titans in Nashville on Sunday. The Texans, meanwhile, are set to play the Jaguars in Jacksonville.

[RELATED: 49ers-Packers Still On Track]

This isn’t the Texans’ first rodeo. Last week, they were forced to shut down after receiving a positive player test and placing offensive lineman Max Scharping on the reserve list. Logistically speaking, that matter was much simpler since the Texans were on a bye week.

The Bears’ COVID-19 positive player is offensive lineman Cody Whitehair, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). This news comes on the heels after Jason Spriggs‘ positive test, an indication that there could be spread among the O-Line group. The good news is that the Bears do not believe that Whitehair came into close contact with many players. The hope is that they can isolate, contain the issue, and go ahead with Sunday’s game as scheduled.

49ers-Packers Still On Track 

November 5th, 2020 at 9:31am CST by Zachary Links

COVID-19 forced the 49ers to close their facility this week, but their Thursday night game against the Packers is still set to go on as scheduled (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter).

[RELATED: COVID-19 Positive Closes 49ers Facility]

In recent days, the Niners have been forced to place a number of players on the reserve list, including offensive tackle Trent Williams and wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and Kendrick Bourne. The Packers, meanwhile, will be without running back AJ Dillon due to his positive test. And, because Dillon was in close contact with fellow RB Jamaal Williams and linebacker Kamal Martin, they will also be barred from playing.

The 49ers have entered the league’s “intensive protocol” to help mitigate potential spread, but as of this writing, the league is planning to go full speed ahead on Thursday night. The Niners were already set for an uphill battle thanks to prior injuries, and they’ll now have to forge ahead without many of their top receivers. Meanwhile, the Packers’ backfield could be extra shallow, depending on the status of Aaron Jones‘ calf injury.

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