Tag: COVID-19

Dec 12, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches the ball for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers activate WR Mike Evans from COVID protocol

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers activated receiver Mike Evans from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, potentially clearing the way for him to play Sunday against the New York Jets.

He is still recovering from a hamstring strain he sustained in Week 15, and the team did not say whether he’d be ready for action when the Buccaneers (11-4) visit the Jets (4-11).

Evans, 28, missed the Week 16 win against the Carolina Panthers because of the injury, then entered the health and safety protocol on Monday.

The Buccaneers also placed punter Bradley Pinion on the COVID list Friday, where he joins three others: wide receiver Jaelon Darden and cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting.

Evans is the Buccaneers’ second-leading receiver behind Chris Godwin, who is on injured reserve and out for the season. Evans has 899 yards and a team-leading 11 touchdowns. Those 11 scoring catches rank second in the NFL to the 14 by the Los Angeles Rams’ Cooper Kupp.

Already the first player in NFL history to begin his career with seven straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons, Evans is just 101 yards shy of making it eight in a row.

Pinion, 27, started the first 14 games of the season but was sidelined in Week 16 because of a right hip issue. He has a gross average of 42.4 yards and a net average of 38.5 yards on 53 punts this year — with 23 of them downed inside the 20 and two touchbacks.

–Field Level Media

Aug 27, 2020; Englewood, Colorado, USA; A general view of the Denver Broncos logo outside of UCHealth Training Center where practice was cancelled after a morning team meeting. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos cancel practice after five more positive COVID-19 tests

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The Denver Broncos canceled practice Thursday amid a new batch of players testing positive for COVID-19.

Coach Vic Fangio said the team had five positive tests, but he didn’t name the players because of the possibility of false positives The news came after four players, including starting receiver Tim Patrick, tested positive Wednesday.

Fangio said virtual meetings were set for Thursday afternoon.

The team could hold practice on Friday and Saturday in advance of their game Sunday at the Los Angeles Chargers.

Before Thursday’s tests, the Broncos (7-8) had reported 23 positive tests since Oct. 24.

Nose tackle Mike Purcell and center Lloyd Cushenberry III have been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list and are expected to play Sunday.

The game against the Chargers (8-7) has playoff implications, but Los Angeles has a far better chance of earning a wild-card berth. While not officially eliminated, the Broncos have less than a 1 percent chance of advancing, The New York Times reported.

–Field Level Media

Dec 16, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs with the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Kelce off COVID list; Chiefs at full strength

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The Kansas City Chiefs activated All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday.

That was just one piece of good news from head coach Andy Reid. The other: Everyone on the active roster is out of COVID-19 protocols.

The Chiefs had 14 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list over the past two weeks.

Kelce missed the Chiefs’ Week 16 rout of the Pittsburgh Steelers after testing positive.

On the season, Kelce has caught 83 passes for 1,066 yards with seven touchdowns. This is his sixth straight season with at least 1,000 yards.

In his ninth season in Kansas City, Kelce has caught 695 career passes for 8,947 yards and 55 touchdowns. He’s also run for two scores.

The Chiefs (11-4) have clinched the AFC West title and are seeking the No. 1 seed, which brings home-field advantage and a bye week. On Sunday, they will meet the Bengals (9-6) in Cincinnati, then close out the season Jan. 9 with the Broncos in Denver.

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz (2) passes the ball under pressure from Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens activate LB Justin Houston, three others; Lamar Jackson back

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Baltimore activated four defensive players from the reserve/COVID-19 list before practice Wednesday.

Additionally, coach John Harbaugh said quarterback Lamar Jackson would practice on a limited basis, making his first appearance on the field since sustaining an ankle injury on Dec. 12 in a loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Now that they are off the COVID-19 list, outside linebacker Justin Houston, safety Geno Stone and inside linebackers Chris Board and Kristian Welch now will be available to play Sunday when the Ravens (8-7) travel west to play the Los Angeles Rams (11-4).

Cornerbacks Chris Westry and Jimmy Smith and outside linebacker Pernell McPhee were activated earlier this week. Starting outside linebacker Tyus Bowser and backup safety Ar’Darius Washington went on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.

Sunday’s game is a must-win for the Ravens, who were 8-3 and in first place in the AFC North division on Nov. 28. They have lost four games since and now need to beat the Rams — and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18 — and get some help to earn a playoff spot.

–Field Level Media

Dec 19, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians looks on against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians positive for COVID

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, possibly keeping him out of Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.

Assistant head coach and run-game coordinator Harold Goodwin will lead the team during Arians’ absence.

“I tested positive for COVID-19 this morning but have only experienced mild symptoms to this point,” Arians said in a statement. “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.”

Arians, 69, took over as Tampa Bay’s coach in 2019 and won Super Bowl LV with the team last season. He is a two-time winner of the AP NFL Coach of the Year award — in 2012, when he took over the Indianapolis Colts’ coach job while Chuck Pagano underwent cancer treatment, and in 2014 while coaching the Arizona Cardinals.

The Bucs also announced that cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting were added to the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Dean has made 13 appearances (11 starts) in 2021 and has 40 tackles, nine pass breakups and two interceptions. Murphy-Bunting has started all seven games he’s appeared in this year after missing an early chunk of the season with a dislocated elbow.

Both players are in their third season in the NFL.

–Field Level Media

Nov 27, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) runs for 17 yards and a first down against the California Golden Bears in the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Holiday Bowl canceled due to UCLA’s COVID protocols

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Tuesday’s Holiday Bowl in San Diego was the latest bowl game to be called off amid the pandemic, with UCLA unable to compete against No. 18 North Carolina State due to COVID-19 protocols.

UCLA made the announcement roughly 5 1/2 hours before the game was scheduled to kick off at Petco Park.

The Bruins’ defensive line group was “decimated” by COVID-19 and did not have enough players able to play, according to a report from The Athletic.

“Heartbroken to not be able to compete one more time this season,” NC State football’s Twitter account posted Tuesday. “We were informed a short time ago that our opponent would be unable to play this evening.”

The Holiday bowl was the fifth game to be canceled due to COVID-19, following the Fenway Bowl, Military Bowl, Hawaii Bowl and Arizona Bowl. The Gator Bowl was in limbo after Texas A&M backed out, but Rutgers was added as a replacement to face Wake Forest.

Also, the Sun Bowl was in limbo after Miami pulled out. But when Boise State dropped out of the Arizona Bowl on Monday, Central Michigan moved from the Arizona to Sun to keep the latter bowl game intact.

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks Jalen Hurts (1) and Gardner Minshew (10) run out of the tunnel for warmups before the game against the Washington Football Team at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles to separate QBs as a COVID-19 precaution

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Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback Jalen Hurts and his backups will be kept apart at the team training facility to try to keep COVID-19 from wiping out the team’s quarterback corps.

The Eagles (8-7) sit in wild-card position entering the Week 17 game on Sunday against the host Washington Football Team (6-9).

“We’re going to definitely make even more adjustments than what we need to just keep everybody safe,” coach Nick Sirianni told the media Monday. “The quarterbacks will be in separate rooms. We’re going to be even more safe with them being in separate rooms.”

Gardner Minshew and Reid Sinnett are the Eagles’ other quarterbacks.

Washington coach Ron Rivera knows the feeling of having a COVID-infected quarterback room. When the Eagles beat Washington 27-17 on Dec. 21, Washington was in the throes of a COVID-19 crisis. Starter Taylor Heinicke and backup Kyle Allen both were on the reserve/COVID-19 list, forcing Rivera to turn to Garrett Gilbert, who hadn’t started a game in more than a year.

Saints rookie Ian Book also started Monday night’s loss to the Miami Dolphins as New Orleans’ experienced quarterbacks — Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian — tested positive for COVID-19.

“To win this game this week, we’re going to need all hands on deck,” Sirianni said. “And so what is the best course of action? Obviously I’m talking to our doctors and our trainers.”

The Eagles placed defensive end Derek Barnett, cornerback Andre Chachere and defensive end Tarron Jackson on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday, bringing their total seven.

Philadelphia could clinch a wild-card spot with a win over Washington and some help. The Eagles close the season Jan. 9 against the Dallas Cowboys, who have clinched the NFC East title.

–Field Level Media

Dec 19, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Houston Texans running back David Johnson (31) runs past Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris (95) during the first half at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Texans place RB David Johnson, LB Neville Hewitt on COVID list

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The Houston Texans placed running back David Johnson and linebacker Neville Hewitt on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.

Both players are in their seventh NFL seasons.

Johnson, who has played in 12 games (four starts) this season, has rushed for 200 yards on 62 carries and has 217 receiving yards on 29 catches. Hewitt (15 games, four starts) has 50 tackles.

The Texans (4-11) are coming off a 41-29 upset of the Los Angeles Chargers. Houston’s next game is Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

In another move Monday, the Texans placed rookie fullback Paul Quessenberry on the practice squad/COVID-19 list.

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers Mascot Sir Purr alone in the stands due to Covid 19 precautions during the second half of a game between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers send everyone home after positive COVID-19 tests

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The Carolina Panthers sent players home Monday after what coach Matt Rhule called a “somewhat significant” number of positive COVID-19 tests.

The Panthers are scheduled to return to the team facility on Wednesday to resume preparing for their Week 17 game at New Orleans.

The Panthers (5-10) lost their fifth straight game on Sunday, falling 32-6 to the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Carolina began the day Monday with seven active players and one practice squad player on the reserve/COVID-19 list: Matt Barkley, Dennis Daley, Pat Elflein, Sam Franklin Jr., Azur Kamara, Rashaan Melvin, Brandon Zylstra and Austin Larkin (practice squad).

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; A general view of a Miami Hurricanes helmet in the end zone prior to the game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Virginia Cavaliers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Miami (FL) withdraws from Sun Bowl due to COVID-19

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Miami (FL) will not play in Friday’s Sun Bowl against Washington State due to an ongoing COVID-19 situation within its program, the university announced Sunday night.

The Hurricanes first entered COVID protocols last Tuesday, with the Miami Herald reporting at the time that several players had tested positive for the coronavirus. The program pushed back its arrival in El Paso, Texas, until one day prior to the Sun Bowl as it hoped to fend off the spread of COVID affecting multiple position groups.

It was unclear whether the Sun Bowl would find a new opponent for Washington State so the game can go on as scheduled. Three bowl games — the Military Bowl, Fenway Bowl, and Hawaii Bowl — had previously been canceled due to COVID spread.

Although SMU, East Carolina, and Memphis became bowl-eligible teams without bowl games, officials at those schools indicated that players had been dispersed from the teams and they would not anticipate rescheduling in a different bowl. Following the first coronavirus casualty of the bowl season, Rutgers received a late invitation to replace Texas A&M in the Gator Bowl and will face Wake Forest on New Year’s Eve.

“We are extremely disappointed that our football team will be unable to participate in the 2021 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl,” Jennifer Strawley, Miami’s deputy director of athletics and chief operating officer, said in a statement. “But due to the number of COVID-19 cases impacting our roster we do not have enough student-athletes to safely compete, and the health and safety of our student-athletes will always be our top priority. This team worked hard all season to earn a bowl invitation and my heart goes out to our student-athletes, especially our seniors.”

The Hurricanes fired coach Manny Diaz after a 7-5 regular season and hired alum and former Oregon coach Mario Cristobal. Interim coach Jess Simpson was slated to lead the team in the game against the Cougars.

“We regret the impact this has on the Washington State program and their postseason experience,” Strawley’s statement said. “I want to commend the Sun Bowl Association for their tireless work in helping us navigate this situation over the past several days.”

–Field Level Media