Since Falcons rookie cornerback A.J. Terrell was the first player during the season to go on the reserve/COVID-19 list Sept. 26, situations in New England and Tennessee have had a domino effect around the NFL.
The Falcons and the other 31 teams are trying to learn from the outbreaks, which include up to 20 people, including 12 players, with the Titans testing positive.
The Patriots found out about quarterback Cam Newton’s positive test Saturday night of last weekend, and their game against Kansas City was moved to Monday night.
The league and the players union, the NFLPA, have put additional protocols in place and are investigating the Tennessee outbreak and a players' gathering by the Las Vegas Raiders.
On Monday, the NFL held a league-wide meeting with all teams to share information and review the additional protocols.
“I’ve obviously kept an eye on it,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said of the league-wide COVID-19 situation. “I was on a call Monday afternoon with the other head coaches, general managers and some ownership, as well. Being on that call, from the medical side of where we are at. What’s gone well and what hasn’t. There were some new protocols that came about.”
As a part of the new protocols, the teams must keep all surveillance videos for 30 days. NFL Security will supervise and coordinate the review of the footage to ensure compliance.
Players must remain 10 feet apart to eat in the cafeteria and must limit their time eating and in the locker room.
Also, teams are required to have five buses, up from two buses, for travel, with each being no more than 50% full. Players and team personnel will have assigned seating.
Also, the mask requirements were made stronger. Players and staff must wear a mask at all times while in team facilities and on the practice field, unless it interferes with athletic activity.
“One thing that we all, not just players and coaches, but everybody, (must do) is to be able to adjust,” Quinn said. “When the new things come, not to say that’s normal, but knowing that the adjustments are always coming, we are ready to do that.”
Quinn is fine with the new protocols.
“Some are on length of testing and some are on different protocols,” Quinn said. "Being able to adjust is good. No. 1, masks. Every chance you can, when we are in the building and not on the field, that’s what we do.
“One of the golden rules is that if you thought somebody had COVID-19, you’ll probably wear your mask. Just go into that thinking, and it makes it a lot easier to stay disciplined.”
When Terrell was added to the COVID-19 list, the Falcons had to scramble in the secondary with two of their top three cornerbacks out. The next day, undrafted rookie Delrick Abrams finished the game against the Bears after Darqueze Dennard, Terrell’s replacement, was injured.
With Terrell out against Green Bay, the secondary was abused again, but this time by the great Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Terrell returned to the facilities Wednesday and was added to the active roster Thursday.
The Falcons, per league policy, can’t comment on whether Terrell tested positive or if he was exposed to COVID-19.
“A.J., for us, was somebody who was very disciplined with that,” Quinn said.
Before the season started, Falcons running back Todd Gurley and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett were among a group of players expressing their concerns about player safety and the NFL’s decision to try to play during the coronavirus pandemic that has resulted in the deaths of more than 210,000 Americans.
“Everything was going pretty smooth over the first couple of months of the season,” Gurley said. “Then you know, just like anything, it was all fun and games, we don’t really recognize something until it happens to you or someone close to you.”
Terrell’s situation was a wake-up call for the Falcons.
“Obviously, A.J. getting it, just makes people tighten up a little bit more and (take) more precautions,” Gurley said. “It was one of those things that was a blessing and a curse. Kind of glad those things happen, that way you can show people that this thing is real and no one is invincible.”
Gurley is friends with Newton, who missed the Patriots’ last game. The Patriots, playing with journeyman quarterback Brian Hoyer, lost to the Chiefs.
“I texted him,” Gurley said. “I’ll have to hit him up. I try not to bother nobody too much, but I appreciate that reminder. I’m probably going to hit him up today and check up on him.”
The Falcons expect to get a boost from Terrell’s return.
“It’s really big getting A.J. back,” Jarrett said. “I’m glad that he’s feeling well. He’s coming back right in time.”
Jarrett and the rest of the league is watching the Tennessee situation.
“We definitely knew that it was a risk coming into the season playing,” Jarrett said. “You’ve got to just kind of take things how they go and be as careful as you can. Know that it’s for real.
"You have to take all of the right steps that you can when nobody is watching to make sure that you’re handling your business to keep yourself healthy and the people around you healthy so that you can continue to play football.”
The focus in Tennessee should be on player safety and not how fast they can play another game. Their game with Pittsburgh last week was postponed.
The Titans’ game against Buffalo has been moved to 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Denver Broncos at New England game will be played at 5 p.m. Monday.
“If somebody must go away for a while to get healthy, that’s just how it’s got to be,” Jarrett said. “Definitely, just trying to make sure along with trying to get some wins going here, we also want to make sure people are taking the right precautions to stay healthy and are abiding by the guidelines.”
The isolation is probably the hardest part for football players, who are used to hanging out in the locker room, blasting music and telling jokes.
“COVID-19 is probably worse than being hurt because you’re not in rehab, you’re at the house by yourself,” Gurley said. “You have communication, but you are not up here.”
Gurley figures that Newton is struggling with that part of recovery.
“I know it’s tough being the star quarterback and not seeing his team win last week,” Gurley said. “I know the competitive spirit that he has. He’ll take that accountability and put that loss on himself.”
Gurley doesn’t view the new protocols as a problem.
“It’s makes you take more responsibility,” Gurley said. "When you want to kick back and lay your feet up, as soon as you do that, you get those signs of somebody else getting it. Then, you’re like, ‘Oh, let me tighten up.’
“It’s a good thing for me. It’s definitely helped me be more responsible. Be more focused. Take care of business off the field. Whatever, I need to do. I feel like I’ve been more consistent in helping out in the community, focusing on business opportunities and letting football be football.”
Falcons' next four games
Panthers at Falcons at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11
Falcons at Vikings at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18
Lions at Falcons at 1 p.m. Sunday Oct. 25
Falcons at Panthers at 8:20 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29
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