KC Chiefs’ Andy Reid ‘hoping’ trio of players on COVID-19 list are back this week
The Chiefs were without defensive lineman Chris Jones, linebacker Willie Gay Jr. and wide receiver Josh Gordon for last week’s game in L.A. against the Chargers. All were on the reserve/COVID-19 list as the Chiefs beat the Chargers in overtime.
As the Chiefs prepare to play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, their coach is optimistic about their status.
“I’m hoping they’re going to be there,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday. “We just got to see how it goes.”
Gordon was the first of the three to land on the COVID list after testing positive last Monday. The Chiefs placed Jones on the list the next day, two days before the Chargers game. Gay was added to the list last Wednesday.
The Chiefs adapted without Jones, Gay and Gordon in Week 15 and won in overtime, 34-28. The Chiefs elevated wide receiver Daurice Fountain from their practice squad to take Gordon’s place on the active roster.
It is unclear if Jones and/or Gay tested positive, but their vaccination status plays a role in when they can return. Gordon revealed on social media that he is fully vaccinated.
Under the NFL’s protocols issued last summer, vaccinated players or staff members who test positive and are asymptomatic are allowed to return following two negative tests taken 24 hours apart.
But Jones, Gay and Gordon were among more than 150 players around the league to land on the reserve/COVID-19 list in the span of a few days last week, prompting the NFL to update its protocol system.
Now, any fully vaccinated individuals who test positive will be tested daily. A faster return is possible if a player or staffer is asymptomatic for at least 24 hours, among other considerations, according to NFL.com.
“There’s a matrix of things that you got to work out, and that’s where (head athletic trainer) Rick (Burkholder) comes in,” Reid said. “I can’t sit here and tell you how all that works right now, but Rick can and he works through everything every day and sees where we’re at. It’s day-to-day as you go with these tests.”
The Chiefs return to practice Wednesday, so the status of Jones, Gay and Gordon should become clearer by then.
This story was originally published December 20, 2021 at 1:47 PM with the headline "KC Chiefs’ Andy Reid ‘hoping’ trio of players on COVID-19 list are back this week."
