Coronavirus: NFL will not adopt localised bubbles for playoffs
A memo confirmed existing coronavirus protocols will continue; players will no longer be able to return immediately after two negative tests and require a 10-day gap since positive test; NFL will not adopt bubble like NBA, NHL did for their postseason
Wednesday 16 December 2020 19:34, UK
The NFL has notified teams they will not be allowed to force players to stay in a localised bubble during the postseason.
A memo was issued on Tuesday indicating the league will retain its current coronavirus protocols, which were recently strengthened, and not adopt a bubble as was the case in the recent NBA and NHL postseasons.
Testing for the period from December 6 to December 12 found 14 players tested positive, along with 31 from other team personnel.
Last week, there were 18 positive tests among players and 27 among other personnel - a drop from about 75 in the previous two weeks.
Teams are still able to provide hotel rooms for players if they voluntarily choose to stay in one, but players will not be obliged to do so other than the night before a game.
The memo stipulates that if a player or staff member does opt to stay at a team-provided hotel, they will be required to wear an electronic tracking device at all times until they return to their room.
"This decision is based upon an analysis of the frequency of positive cases in the league compared to the risk of significant spread among players and staff gathered for an extensive period of time at one hotel," the memo said.
The league also considered the mental health impact of keeping players isolated for an extended period of time.
Further discussion regarding health and safety protocols is expected at the league's virtual owners meeting on Wednesday.
In addition to a decision on a postseason 'bubble', Tuesday's memo also mandated daily testing for players and staff for seven days after the end of each team's season.
It also changed return-to-play protocols for asymptomatic individuals so that they may no longer return after two negative tests.
The new rules will require 10 days to pass since the positive test, in addition to clearance from a club physician.
NFL allows late COVID-19 replacements
The NFL is adjusting its game-day rules in the event of a COVID-19 designation close to kick-off.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that the NFL informed teams that if a positive test or high-risk close contact designation comes after the deadline for submitting game-day inactives, a club can activate a new player up to 30 minutes before kick-off, per a source informed of the decision. Inactives are usueally required 90 minutes before kick-off.
The change comes after Dez Bryant was ruled out of the Baltimore Ravens Week 13 game against the Dallas Cowboys right before kick-off following an inconclusive test and subsequent rapid-result positive. Bryant got pulled after inactives were announced, leaving the Ravens with one fewer roster spot filled.
