NFL Investigating Team for Violating COVID-19 Locker Room Procedures

The NFL is investigating a team for allegedly violating the league's COVID-19 protocols by allowing "unauthorized locker room access," according to a memo obtained by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. 

Per Pelissero, the league's COVID-19 protocols limit locker room access to 40 individuals from six different categories and three team ownership representatives. 

Teams received a correspondence from the league office Friday ahead of Sunday's Week 3 games with reminders on current coronavirus policies, including for all coaches—whether on the field or in the coaches booth—to properly wear face masks or pay fines. 

Player were also "strongly encouraged" to wear masks on the sidelines unless substituting into the game. 

The NFL has taken a strong stance with its pandemic procedures and wasted little time in handing out punishments for those found in violation of its rules. 

After issuing warnings for coaches who did not properly wear face masks in Week 1, the league fined head coaches Pete Carroll, Kyle Shanahan, Jon Gruden, Sean Payton and Vic Fangio $100,000 each after the second game of the year for failing to follow the guideline.

Their respective teams—the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos—were each hit with a $250,000 fine, bringing the league total to $1.75 million.

That could cause teams to take additional steps to remain compliant. 

While addressing the media Friday, New York Jets head coach Adam Gase said he's not going to risk a fine. 

"There was a suggestion by our starting QB that maybe I need to pull it down sometimes when I'm calling plays," Gase said. "I'd rather not get fined $100K. That wouldn't go over well."