CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers on Wednesday entered the NFL’s intensive protocol after Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Marlon Davidson was placed on the league’s reserve/COVID-19 list.
The Falcons placed Davidson on the list on Tuesday, two days after losing to the Panthers (3-2) in Atlanta. A source told ESPN’s Vaughn McClure that Davidson tested positive for the coronavirus.
The intensive protocol, according to a memo sent out by the NFL on Oct. 1, requires teams potentially exposed to the coronavirus to implement the following precautions:
In addition to daily testing, all players Tier 1 and 2 must receive daily rapid point of care tests and test negatively before entering the facility;
-
All meetings must occur virtually;
-
Whenever possible, activities such as practice will take place either outdoors or in large, open spaces;
-
Personal protection equipment such as facemasks or shields must be worn on the practice field by players and staff at all times;
-
Gloves also should be worn on the field for all players except quarterbacks [Note: Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater always wears gloves on both hands];
-
The weight room will be limited to no more than 10 players at any time regardless of the size of the room;
-
The facility will be deep cleaned daily;
-
No team or player gatherings or group football activities will be permitted away from the facility.
The rules basically are what the Minnesota Vikings followed after their Week 3 game against the Tennessee Titans, who the next week had an outbreak of COVID-19 cases.
No Minnesota player tested positive after the Titans game and the Vikings did not miss a game.
The Panthers did not cancel Wednesday’s practice, but did push it back to 1:45 p.m. instead of the typical noon time. At this point no Carolina player has been placed on the COVID-19 list since Sunday.
The Panthers are scheduled to host the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.