The NFL continues to adapt and adjust to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, specifically the omicron variant, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control. Tuesday, the NFL sent out a memo to teams dictating the new rules which include quicker returns if the following are met:
- The isolation period reduced from 10 days to five days
- No fever for the past 24 hours without fever-reducing medications
- Other symptoms are improving or are gone
- Approval from medical staff
- Local regulations/requirements must be complied with
Fully vaccinated players can still test out sooner than the five days but non-vaccinated players will not. There is no testing requirement after five days only the above criteria.
After five days, once cleared players must wear masks on the sidelines as well as the currently in place indoor mandate.
Based on the new five-day period, all of the players on the Cleveland Browns reserve/COVID-19 list would be eligible to return in time for Monday’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers as long as they meet the other requirements. That includes LB Elijah Lee and OL Alex Taylor, the most recent players placed on the list.
The team’s reserve/COVID-19 list includes these players as well, all of which would be eligible to return if they meet the criteria:
- C J.C. Tretter
- CB Greg Newsome II
- K Chase McLaughlin
- DT Jordan Elliott
- LB Tony Fields
The NFL noted in their memo, which can be seen here in its entirety, that the CDC’s recommendations led to these changes.
