The Carolina Panthers are expected to fine players at least $10,000 apiece for breaking the league’s COVID-19 protocols during the bye week, according to a report by Jeremy Fowler at ESPN.
Earlier this week, the team placed eight players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including wide receivers D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel. Most of them have since been activated. However, Moore and defensive tackle Zach Kerr are still on the list, leaving their status for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos in doubt. Fowler’s report states that some of those players met outside of the team facility during the bye, which is prohibited by the NFL.
Coach Matt Rhule told reporters a few days ago his understanding was that the outbreak was a result of the team’s trip to Minnesota before the bye. However, that contradicts both Fowler’s reporting and what the league’s chief medical officer had to say on Wednsday. Rhule later said if it’s confirmed that players met off-site that it will be addressed by the team and the league.
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