Over the weekend, six players on five teams were placed on the new reserve/COVID-19 list.
Today, four members of the Minnesota Vikings’ rookie class joined the group:
Among the four Vikings rookies landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list is 2020 first-round draft pick Justin Jefferson. Tackle Blake Brandel, safety Brian Cole II, and guard Tyler Higby also placed on the list. But Jefferson – a standout receiver on LSU’s championship team – is the highest-profile name here.
Since we’re here, we might as well discuss the list and what being on it means.
To be clear, landing on the reserve/COVID list doesn’t mean a player has tested positive for coronavirus. The list is for players who test positive for the coronavirus or who are quarantining after potential exposure. It also allows for roster flexibility while being proactive in attempting to limit the spread of coronavirus.
It’s been a rough news cycle for Minnesota’s football team. Because in addition to putting four players on the COVID-19 list, the team’s head trainer tested positive for coronavirus. The team doesn’t believe rookie cases tied to Eric Sugarman’s positive test. However, it’s still jarring to see a team impacted in this manner. With that in mind, we’ll continue to monitor situations around the league and how teams and players handle things.