The Las Vegas Raiders positioned 4 beginning offensive linemen and security Johnathan Abram on the reserve/COVID-19 record after they have been decided to be shut contacts with a teammate who had examined optimistic for the coronavirus.

Two individuals aware of the strikes Thursday confirmed that Abram, Kolton Miller, Denzelle Good, Rodney Hudson and Gabe Jackson have been all positioned on the record due to high-risk contact with proper deal with Trent Brown. The individuals spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of the strikes haven’t been introduced. NFL Community first reported the gamers happening the COVID-19 record.

These 5 gamers had shut contact with Brown, who was positioned on the COVID-19 record Wednesday following a optimistic take a look at for the virus. If these gamers stay asymptomatic they need to wait 5 days from their final contact with Brown on Monday and take a look at unfavourable every day earlier than they are going to be allowed to return.

That offers them sufficient time to return to play on Sunday in opposition to Tampa Bay in the event that they don’t take a look at optimistic or develop signs earlier than then. The league moved the schedule for Sunday night time in opposition to the Buccaneers into the afternoon window out of an “abundance of warning” to verify a recreation can be obtainable for NBC’s “Sunday Night time Soccer.” The Seattle-Arizona recreation was moved into the prime-time slot.

The league and union are additionally investigating how the Raiders have dealt with the coronavirus protocols. One individual mentioned on situation of anonymity as a result of the outcomes of the investigation haven’t been made public that Brown was not persistently carrying his tracker which is used to assist decide shut contacts.

The staff additionally was alleged to be within the league’s “intensive” protocol on Monday after cornerback Damon Arnette was positioned on the COVID-19 record, which requires correct distancing and masks carrying at observe. The individual mentioned video exhibits the beginning offensive linemen weren’t following the protocols.

So for now, the Raiders are getting ready for the sport with backup linemen Patrick Omameh, John Simpson, Andre James, Brandon Parker and Sam Younger, in addition to observe squad gamers Jaryd Jones-Smith, Erik Magnuson and Kamaal Seymour.

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“We haven’t modified our routine in any respect,” offensive coordinator Greg Olson mentioned. “Clearly, our numbers are down slightly bit. However so far as our observe, you proceed with enterprise as common and subsequent man up mentality so nothing’s actually modified.”

Whereas getting ready for a recreation with out your entire beginning offensive line is the most important problem, dropping Abram can be a giant blow to the protection.

He units the tone along with his bodily play within the secondary and has been one of many higher gamers on protection this season.

“John’s a giant a part of what we do,” defensive coordinator Paul Guenther mentioned. “We’ll simply must see with John regardless of the scenario is. He’s enjoying nice. If not, we’ve to have any person step up in his place and play at a excessive degree.”

The Raiders have now had eight gamers positioned on the COVID-19 record because the begin of the season, together with the seven at the moment on the record. Defensive deal with Maurice Hurst was placed on the COVID-19 record two weeks in the past earlier than being activated on Monday.

The Raiders have had a number of points with the coronavirus protocols already this season. Coach Jon Gruden was fined $100,000 and the staff fined $250,000 after Gruden didn’t put on his masks correctly in Week 2. The staff was additionally fined $50,000 for permitting an unauthorized worker into the locker room after that recreation.

Tight finish Darren Waller was fined $30,000 and 9 teammates have been docked $15,000 for attending a charity occasion held by Waller that violated native coronavirus protocols.

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