Report: NFL will alter Injured Reserve rules for COVID-19

With players set to start reporting to Training Camp in just a few days. . .rookies for the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs are scheduled to report on Monday. . .it appears that the NFL and NFLPA have agreed on some protocols for teams that have players that test positive for COVID-19.

Per Pro Football Talk, the league intends to change the Injured Reserve rules for players that test positive for the virus. Players that test positive will be placed on the COVID-19 list for three weeks, during which time their roster spot can be filled by a player that has tested negative. While they are on the COVID-19 list, the player will be paid their full salary.

After the three weeks are up, a player then has three weeks to be placed back on the active roster, similar to what happens when teams have players on the PUP or NFI list before the start of the season. If a player is not returned to the active roster after that three-week period, they will go on the Injured Reserve list and miss the remainder of the season.

The procedures have not been completely finalized at this point, and the NFL owners will likely vote on the policy when they meet tomorrow.

This is just another way that things are going to be different in the National Football League in 2020, if there’s a season to be played. Just like so many of the other things with this offseason, once we have more news on this front and how it affects the Minnesota Vikings and the rest of the NFL, we will bring it to you here as quickly as possible.