Report: NFL Players to Go on IR for 3 Weeks If They Test Positive for COVID-19

As the NFL continues ahead with plans to hold the season as normal during the coronavirus pandemic, details are emerging about how the league will handle players who test positive for COVID-19.

According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, the NFL is amending the injured reserve rules in 2020 to place players who contract the virus on IR for three weeks. The designation will allow for players to receive their normal salaries while allowing teams to use an open roster spot to add another athlete. 

Florio notes the changes have not been finalized. 

League owners are scheduled to meet via teleconference on Friday and could vote on the proposal then. 

Per Florio: 

"It's unclear what will happen if a player on the COVID-19 list can't return after three weeks, at which time he will be eligible to return to practice. He must be returned to the active roster within three weeks after that, or he will revert to IR (absent an injury settlement).

"The goal will be to keep the roster strong and to avoid shutting players down for the full season. The broader objective will be to keep the league from collapsing if teams suffer outbreaks that shut them down."

The report comes nearly an hour after Houston Texans star JJ Watt tweeted a number of outstanding questions players have in regards to maintaining their health and safety after multiple players association calls.

Among Watt's concerns is the notion the NFLPA has not received a "valid" infectious disease emergency response plan. Players do not know how often they will be tested, either. 

However Florio's report seemingly answers one of Watt's questions: those who are confirmed to have the virus will not have their contracts altered by the IR designation. 

Earlier on Thursday, the NFLPA announced 72 players have tested positive for COVID-19 as of July 10. 

NFL training camps are set to open in two weeks despite final details still being hammered out.