The NFL is working Sunday to assess a series of positive COVID-19 results that have all been traced to the same laboratory in New Jersey, raising concerns about the efficacy of the testing program established to minimize spread of the disease.
“Saturday’s daily COVID testing returned several positives tests from each of the clubs serviced by the same laboratory in New Jersey,” the NFL said in a statement Sunday morning. “We are working with our testing partner, BioReference, to investigate these results, while the clubs work to confirm or rule out the positive tests.”
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane told reporters that at least 10 teams were affected.
The Chicago Bears announced they received nine positive results from their Saturday test regimen. All nine were determined to be false positive results, meaning none were actual indications of infection. The Bears moved back their morning practice to Sunday afternoon “out of an abundance of caution” while they sorted through them.
GREEN BAY, Wis. — You probably thought Robert Tonyan would find a place in the Green Bay Packers’ tight end rotation after his 54-yard touchdown catch against the Seattle Seahawks in 2018. Or after his leaping sideline grab against the Dallas Cowboys last season.
He never did.
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Not in 2018, for reasons no one could figure, and not in 2019, because he shredded his core muscle on that very catch — an injury that kept him out for five straight games. It limited his reps upon his return and ultimately required surgery in the offseason.
So why should anyone — fantasy football players chief among them — think this season will be any different for a tight end with just 14 career catches in two seasons?
Because Matt LaFleur says so. When asked whether Tonyan is in play for the No. 1 tight end job, the Packers coach didn’t hesitate for even a second.
“Absolutely,” LaFleur said.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs are putting in place new policies for fans during games at Arrowhead Stadium with regard to Native American imagery.
Among the changes: Fans are prohibited from wearing headdresses into the stadium. Face painting that is styled in a way as to imitate Native American cultures and traditions is also prohibited.
The Chiefs also said they would look into making changes to two favorite Arrowhead traditions among their fans: the Arrowhead Chop and the pregame beating of a drum, often by a former player or coach or other local celebrity.
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“In 2014, we began a dialogue with a group of local leaders from diverse American Indian backgrounds and experiences,” the Chiefs said in a statement. “As an organization, our goal was to gain a better understanding of the issues facing American Indian communities in our region and explore opportunities to both raise awareness of American Indian cultures and celebrate the rich traditions of tribes with a historic connection to the Kansas City area.
“We are grateful for the meaningful conversations we have had with all of these American Indian leaders. It is important that we continue the dialogue on these significant topics, and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future.”
The Chiefs said this week they planned to have fans at their home games, at least early in the season. They said they would cap attendance for those games at 22 percent of Arrowhead’s capacity, which they listed last year at 72,936.
That would mean about 16,000 fans would attend their early-season games, including the NFL’s Sept. 10 opener matching the Chiefs and the Houston Texans.