NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: A Philadelphia Eagles helmet is seen during the NFC Divisional Playoff against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
A player on the Philadelphia Eagles has tested positive for COVID-19
The Eagles join the long list of NFL teams dealing with COVID-19 related problems as the league enters the second half of its complicated season during a pandemic. Roger Goodell and Co. always knew this season would be a tough one, especially with all the travel involved in a 16-game slate.
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson tested positive for the virus earlier in the league year, but has since recovered to lead Philly to the NFC East lead, with the Cowboys close behind. While the team is surely using contact tracing to make sure other players or staff members haven’t suffered the same fate at the infected individual, they are thankfully on a bye week where they can deal with such matters in a timely manner.
The NFL’s COVID-19 policy matters in this situation
For said player to come back for the team’s Week 10 game against the Giants in mid-November, they’ll have to test negative for the virus twice. Considering they’re currently quarantined, it’s not impossible. However, the normal quarantine period for COVID-19 patients is typically two weeks.
The side-effects of being an athlete in the COVID-19 era have yet to be discovered. Heart and lung issues typically come with the territory, and playing through the illness only makes matters worse.