Two Arizona Cardinals staff members tested positive for COVID-19 after linebacker Chandler Jones was placed on the coronavirus reserve list this week, reports ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
Arizona has already increased its testing to select players and personnel, adds Graziano.
Having four positives would require the team to put itself into intensive protocols, which the NFL used last year to prevent major outbreaks of COVID-19.
Going into intensive protocols would make all Cardinals team employees undergo daily testing, plus require more masking and limitations on indoor practices and use of the team’s facilities, like the weight room.
Jones went on the COVID-19 reserve list on Tuesday, and head coach Kliff Kingsbury confirmed that he has tested positive and had experienced symptoms. However, Kingsbury as of Thursday morning on SiriusXM’s Adam Schein’s Mad Dog Sports Radio show still had not ruled out Jones to return for a Sunday game at the Cleveland Browns.
The pass-rusher would need two negative COVID-19 tests in consecutive days to return.
Kingsbury said in September that 100% of Arizona’s player roster was vaccinated. The full coaching staff was vaccinated before training camp opened.
Jones leads the team with 5.0 sacks this year, all of which came in the season opener. He is the only player officially on the COVID-19 reserve list as of Thursday morning.