NFL: Players Union accepts the league’s proposal for increased Covid-19 testing

New York, New York - The NFL Players Association (NFLPA), the labor union that represents NFL players, has agreed to accept the league’s new Covid-19 testing schedule.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and his league have agreed on new revisions to the current NFL Covid-19 testing protocols.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and his league have agreed on new revisions to the current NFL Covid-19 testing protocols.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

The league will go ahead with increased testing of their football players in response to the rising surge in Delta variant-related coronavirus cases.

Players who are fully vaccinated will now be tested every week instead of bi-weekly. Unvaccinated players will still be tested on a daily basis, a rule that Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley (32) hasn’t been a fan of.

The NFLPA has actually been pushing all summer for daily testing across the league, regardless of vaccination status but the league has pushed back, arguing that current data doesn’t suggest fully vaccinated personnel are responsible for spreading the virus within their respective team locations.

Just recently, the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have taken hits to their team rosters as several of their players and coaching staff tested positive for the virus.

It’s not clear if all those who had the virus are or aren’t inoculated, but Titans head coach Mike Vrabel and his starting QB Ryan Tannehill, who were among the infected, both said they had been vaccinated.

Both parties agree to a few additional changes going forward

NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith leads his organization into the 2021 regular season with a revised Covid-19 testing protocol agreement with the league.
NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith leads his organization into the 2021 regular season with a revised Covid-19 testing protocol agreement with the league.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

The league and the Player’s Association found common ground with a few more changes to their joint Covid-19 protocol agreement.

Unvaccinated players are now not required to wear masks for outdoor practices, but must still wear them indoors.

Traveling parties of non-players will are now reduced to a 75-person maximum.

And fully vaccinated players that are designated "high risk" close contacts will be tested daily and will be required to follow a five-day mask mandate.

The 2021 NFL regular season kicks off with the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers hosting the Cowboys on Thursday, September 9.

Cover photo: IMAGO / Icon SMI

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