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Late last week, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the NFL has finally sent out all of the protocols and guidelines regarding the coronavirus on Friday night. The official memo sent out by the league essentially covers all testing situations that could be possible, including how to deal with asymptomatic players/staff opposed to those exhibiting symptoms.
According to protocols the NFL issued to clubs late Friday night, five days need to pass after an initial positive test -- in addition to two consecutive negative tests separated by 24 hours -- for an asymptomatic individual to return. More in this chart: https://t.co/1nzMZ0lez3
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 6, 2020
All of the information is structured within an easy-to-follow flow chart which makes for a convenient read.
To aid in contact tracing, all Tier 1-3 personnel will have to wear tracking devices at all times during any team activity, in and outside of the actual facility. For those who don’t recall, Tier 1 personnel includes the players and coaching staff while Tier 3 includes stadium and event workers.
How will contact tracing work?
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 4, 2020
For in-game exposures, players already wear Zebra tracking devices.
All Tier 1-3 personnel “will also be required to wear Kinexon Proximity Recording tracking devices at all times” during team activities, including at facility, practice, travel. https://t.co/DvB98C5poP
For the sake of fluidity in this unusual season we’re all predicting to happen, I truly hope the NFL finds a way to make available available player pools much larger for each team. To be honest, I don’t even think increasing the practice squad by a handful of players will be enough. After the first handful of positive cases are found within the team during the season, we can probably expect a slight spike with a peak before things simmer down again. During these potential peaks within each franchise, how many players could be needed to step in at a moment’s notice to play for a week or two? I just see so many bodies coming and going through the active roster and I wonder just how well they’ll be able to keep up.