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Brady HendersonESPN
RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks have placed starting tight end Gerald Everett on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Wednesday.
Everett’s placement on the COVID list was the result of a positive test. It comes with the Seahawks — already two games back in the NFC West standings after consecutive losses — preparing for their division opener Sunday at the San Francisco 49ers (2-1). The Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams (3-0), Everett’s former team, four days later on Thursday Night Football.
“Be back soon,” Everett tweeted after the team’s announcement.
Coach Pete Carroll said earlier this month that all but two Seahawks players, whom he didn’t identify, were vaccinated against COVID-19. Everett has not revealed — nor has he been asked — whether he’s vaccinated, so it’s unclear exactly how soon he may return.
Per NFL rules, vaccinated players who test positive can return after two negative tests at least 24 hours apart, as long as they’re asymptomatic. Unvaccinated players who tests positive must isolate for 10 days and can then return if they’re asymptomatic.
Everett is the first player the Seahawks have placed on the COVID list as the result of a confirmed positive test. They placed five players on the list last season because of either a false positive or a close-contact situation.
The 27-year-old Everett has eight catches for 77 yards and a touchdown through three games. The Seahawks have two other tight ends on their 53-man roster in Will Dissly and Tyler Mabry. They designated Colby Parkinson to return to practice from injured reserve on Wednesday. Carroll said Parkinson will make a push to play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, as will offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, who was also designated to return to practice.
The Seahawks have two tight ends on their practice squad in Jace Sternberger and Ryan Izzo, who was signed Wednesday. They also signed speedy receiver Phillip Dorsett and quarterback Jake Luton to their practice squad.
Dorsett, the 29th overall pick in 2015, returns to Seattle after spending all of last season on the Seahawks’ IR list with a foot injury. He was released from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad earlier this week.
Luton spent the first three weeks on the Seahawks’ 53-man roster as their third quarterback and was waived on Tuesday.