Steelers wide receiver James Washington and running back Jaylen Samuels were placed on the COVID-19/reserve list on Sunday. Their addition now makes four Steelers on the list.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero detailed return-to-play strategy here.
According to Steelers.com:
The reserve/COVID-19 list was created for a player who either tests positive for COVID-19 or who has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person(s). If a player falls into either of these categories, their club is required to immediately place the player on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Per agreed upon NFL-NFLPA policy, clubs are not permitted to comment on player’s medical status other than referring to roster status. Clubs may not disclose whether player is in quarantine or is positive for COVID-19.
As mentioned, clubs are not permitted to specify whether the player tested positive or came in contact with someone with the coronavirus.
On Thursday, the NFL and NFLPA provided insight into how a player comes off the COVID-19/reserve list:
Close contact players testing negative can’t return until:
– Second negative test within 24 hours of initial negative test
– Increased symptom monitoring
– Eight days of daily virus testing
– Regular testing schedule after that
Asymptomatic players can’t return until:
– 10 days have passed since initial positive test OR
– 5 days have passed since initial positive test, AND two consecutive negative tests are completed separated by 24 hours within five days.
– Return is approved by team’s physician after consulting with ICS and NFL’s chief medical officer
Symptomatic players can’t return until:
– 10 days have passed since first COVID-19 symptoms appeared
– At least 72 hours have passed since symptoms last occurred
– Return is approved by team’s physician after consulting with ICS and NFL’s chief medical officer
– Local regulations and requirements are satisfied
If a player tests negative and is asymptomatic but has been in close contact with an infected individual, a new set of rules apply.
