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League announces updates to COVID-19 protocols

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFL updates COVID-19 protocols; vaccinated individuals can 'test out' of protocols sooner

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 12/16/21

After nearly 100 NFL players reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 Monday through Wednesday amid coronavirus surges linked with the Omicron variant, it was clear multiple things had to change if the league was to finish the regular season, as planned, on Jan. 9.

Requiring fully vaccinated players and staff members who are asymptomatic to produce a pair of negative COVID-19 tests at least 24 hours apart to return to team activities ahead of 10-day periods wasn't working, and neither was shying away from enhanced coronavirus protocols for all clubs. Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the league addressed both issues on Thursday:

The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to updated COVID protocols. Statement from the league: pic.twitter.com/PyIYspmcTh
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 16, 2021

Most notable from a competitive perspective: There are now more ways for fully vaccinated players and staff to “test out” of COVID protocols and return from quarantine in less than 10 days. It’s very technical but should mean more players and coaches returning sooner. pic.twitter.com/vAKqZjeRQb
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 16, 2021

The key is the individual must be asymptomatic, as a majority of the players who tested positive the past few days have been. Return is possible as soon as the day after the initial positive test.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 16, 2021

On Wednesday, the NFL Players Association lashed out at the league's decision to test vaccinated players only once per week rather than daily throughout the season. That apparently isn't changing:

Fully vaccinated individuals will continue to test weekly and unvaccinated individuals daily. The NFL's memo also says there "likely" will be a reduction in the number of people allowed in Tier 1, Tier 2, etc., which happened towards the end of last season as well.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 16, 2021

Perhaps most importantly for fans of teams currently impacted by major outbreaks, these changes will not affect previous COVID-19 test results:

NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills says the league won't retroactively assess this week's positive tests based on the new "testing out" protocol. So everyone on the COVID list, stays on the list for now. But results in coming days could allow teams to get players back.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 16, 2021

Sills emphasized on the call they're not loosening the standards here -- they're looking to detect whether someone has a substantial amount of virus to infect others. Those who don't, and have recovered themselves (i.e. symptoms), now can potentially return to the field sooner.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 16, 2021

Questions will continue to be asked about why the NFL didn't tackle such issues sooner considering earlier well-known concerns had about the Omicron variant and predicted rising COVID-19 cases coming off the Thanksgiving holiday. The hope, moving forward, is that "better late than never" isn't just a saying as it pertains to completing the season.

From TNF First Look on @nflnetwork: A quick summary of the NFL’s adjusted COVID-19 protocols, which should allow for vaccinated players to return to play much more quickly than before. pic.twitter.com/HY0d0EI4Pf
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 16, 2021

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