The Bears delayed the start of Wednesday’s practice by four hours because of a problem with the courier tasked with delivering the team’s latest round of coronavirus tests to the NFL’s lab. The tests never reached the lab, forcing the Bears to re-test their players, according to an NFL spokesman, who delivered the message to the Chicago chapter of the Pro Football Writers Association.
The Bears delayed practice while awaiting results of the new tests.
The courier is independent of the Bears and the NFL.
Bears coach Matt Nagy will address the media at 2:30 p.m.
NFL players are not allowed inside team facilities on Mondays and Tuesdays during a standard game week. Teams must abide by the NFL’s strict protocols, which include daily testing, mask wearing and virtual meetings.
Three Bears practice squad players tested positive last week alone: linebacker Manti Te’o, defensive lineman LaCale London and receiver Thomas Ives. The team briefly shut down Halas Hall on Thursday after punt returner DeAndre Carter tested positive; players were told to leave the facility in the morning, but returned for a mid-afternoon practice after the league told the Bears it was safe to do so. All four players remain on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list.
