Pete Carroll says ‘always protect the team’ rule applies to bye week

The Seattle Seahawks players will continue their daily testing for COVID-19 throughout the bye week, encouraged to “always protect the team.”

The Seattle Seahawks are entering the bye week with a perfect 5-0 record to start the season for the first time in franchise history. But there is a more important record coach Pete Carroll wants the team to preserve as well – continuing to test negative for COVID-19 throughout the break.

With the coronavirus pandemic still in full swing, players will still be required to test daily, even during the bye week.

“We have to be so, so tuned in,” Carroll said during his Monday morning press conference. “Rule No. 1 is always protect the team, you know. This is what this week is about. Rule No.1 is all about conscience and staying connected to team and players and who you represent and all that.

“Everything is at stake.”

Carroll explained the reason the message is so important is that everyone will be away from their daily routines and there is simply no way to practice or prepare for the gravity of the situation.

Carroll said the players will undergo COVID-19 tests each morning.

[lawrence-related id=68089]