Three players and five staff members of the Tennessee Titans have tested positive for the coronavirus after their game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. The NFL has made certain guidelines in response to the pandemic and how to handle potential outbreaks. If a player tests positive and shows symptoms of the virus, they cannot return for at least 10 days and until at least 72 hours have passed since the symptoms last occured. If a player tests positive and is not showing symptoms, the player cannot return until 10 days have passed since the initial positive test or five days since the the initial positive test with a negative test result. All these test results must be approved by the team’s physician after consultation with the NFL’s chief medical officer. Players who have contracted the illness are being placed on the covid-19 reserve list. This is a new category of injured reserve for this specific season.

As the NFL enters week four, many are wondering if it was a good idea to even start the season and whether players’ safety is actually a priority for the franchise.