The rules for NFL’s injured reserve/COVID-19 list, explained

A look at the new list that already has a bunh of names on it.

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You’ve probably seen a bunch of NFL news regarding players being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and wondered what the deal was with that given that it’s a new wrinkle in a 2020 season that will no doubt be full of new wrinkles. Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford is on his team’s list, as is his Jacksonville Jaguars counterpart Gardner Minshew.

So this is for you: a breakdown of the rules and regulations regarding that specific new list. Let’s jump into it.

What’s the list exactly?

It’s designated as reserve/COVID-19, and it’s specifically for a player who either tests positive for COVID-19 or who has been in “close contact with infected person or persons.”

Does that mean we’re finding out who has been diagnosed with COVID-19?

No. Teams cannot disclose if players tested positive or not. Only players can reveal if they’ve had a positive test.

How long will a player stay on the list?

That’s unclear. A player’s return, per NFL.com, is “subject to medical clearance.” ESPN.com added that “Players may be activated from the list when they are healthy.”

Um, that seems obvious.

Right! But there’s no details regarding what exactly that definition is.

So what do we know?

There are protocols in place for players that might apply here.

Players who test positive are split into asymptomatic and symptomatic categories. Per Packers Wire, there’s a long list of requirements for both of those types of positive tests in order to return. Here, for example, are the details for symptomatic players in order to return:

– 10 days have passed since first COVID-19 symptoms appeared

– At least 72 hours have passed since symptoms last occurred

– Return is approved by team’s physician after consulting with ICS and NFL’s chief medical officer

– Local regulations and requirements are satisfied

Players who are in close contact but who test negative need a second negative within 24 hours of their first negative, “increased symptom monitoring,” and eight days of daily testing.

Here’s a handy flow chart to explain it:

Got it. That seems pretty thorough on paper.

You would think. But they’re not playing in a bubble. And we know from what’s happened in Major League Baseball that it could be a problem even with those protocols in place.

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