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In a stark reminder that all is not normal approaching the 2020 NFL season and that it may not go off the way everyone would like it to, NFL.com has reported that multiple members of the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans have tested positive for COVID-19.
Star running back Ezekiel Elliott has been said to be one of those players. Pro Football Talk is reporting that four players have tested positive, and adds that the number could increase.
This is hardly unexpected.
A month ago, NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said: "We fully expect that we will have positive cases that arise. … Our challenge is to identify them as quickly as possible and prevent spread to any other participants.” The teams appear to have done that. https://t.co/T18b96Nhtw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 15, 2020
As NFL teams have begun to reopen their facilities to coaches as well as rehabbing players, the NFL issues strict COVID-19 protocols that involve distancing, restricting access, and cleaning procedures.
Still, players have not been gathering at team facilities in groups.
We have been reading and hearing more and more about players gathering on their own. We have heard reports recently of Giants quarterbacks Daniel Jones and Colt McCoy bringing receivers and running backs to Texas for a number of workouts. We have seen video of Will Hernandez and Nick Gates working out together. We have heard reports of Gates working out in California with Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and other players.
Earlier in the spring, Von Miller of the Denver Broncos and Brian Allen of the Los Angeles Rams had tested positive.
It seems only a matter of time before the Giants are affected in some way. Also, this serves as yet another reminder that the NFL season, whatever form it takes, is not going to be a normal one.