Several vaccinated and asymptomatic National Football League players tested positive for COVID-19 on the first day of “targeted” testing, the Associated Press learned from an informed source on Monday. results.
In all, the names of 47 players have been placed on the reserve / COVID-19 list, the highest number on a single day since the start of the pandemic.
The AP source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to privacy issues, did not say how many of those players are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated.
Featured tight end Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, defensive end Joey Bosa of the Los Angeles Chargers and quarterback Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions are among the roster of players whose names have been placed on the list.
Bosa will miss the team’s game this week, according to head coach Brandon Staley.
Players who have tested positive must go into isolation until they get the green light to make a comeback. Under revised NFL protocols, which went into effect Monday, vaccinated and asymptomatic players can return within a 10-day period.
Kelce, cornerback Charvarius Ward and kicker Harrison Butker all tested positive. They all faced the Chargers last Thursday night in a career-high Kelce game with 191 passing yards.
Kelce had the tying touchdown in the fourth quarter and the deciding major in overtime.
Three other Chiefs players, tackle Chris Jones, wide end Josh Gordon and second Willie Gay Jr., are already on the list.
The names of two other Lions flagship players and six other Chargers players have also been added to the roster.
Guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, of the New York Jets, who last year chose to step down to work on the frontlines of the pandemic, was asked about the possibility that some players are trying to cover up their symptoms in order to keep playing.
PHOTO BRAD PENNER, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, of the New York Jets
“Of course, that’s the flip side, and I guess we’ll know more over the next week, and we’ll see after next Sunday what really happened in terms of the number of cases,” said Duvernay -Tardif, holder of a doctorate in medicine and a master’s degree in surgery.
“I just hope the guys are honest with themselves, because at the end of the day they put me in danger as a player who follows the rules and guidelines because they go out on the pitch with symptoms .
“We are all in the same boat. The goal is obviously to finish the season and play all the games, but it’s also about staying healthy. So I think we just have to be honest with ourselves. ”