The NFL issued new guidance for its operations amid the coronavirus pandemic to require players to use face masks on the sideline unless they have their helmet on and are preparing to enter the game.
The league told teams in a memo on Monday that players who are not substituting or preparing to enter the field of play and are not wearing their helmets will be required to wear a mask or a double-layered gaiter on the sideline, starting this week.
A pointed message here as COVID cases rise: “Players who fail to wear masks on the sidelines will be subject to discipline. Clubs are required to enforce these rules. Violations by players and/or staff will result in accountability measures being imposed upon the Club.” https://t.co/vcVxJ69N7E
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 23, 2020
The NFL said players who don’t follow the new mask guidelines could face discipline: “Clubs are required to enforce these rules. Violations by players and/or staff will result in accountability measures being imposed upon the Club. It is strongly recommended that each Club designate one or two individuals in the Bench Area to ensure compliance with these rules.”
Coaches who only wear face shields while calling plays will also now have to use a mask or double-layered gaiter.
Another change in the COVID-19 policy is that teams can only have 62 players in a traveling party, a number that includes any players on injured reserve.
Confirmed positive tests among NFL players and staff have increased alongside the rise in community spread across the country. A total of 108 tests have returned positive in the past two testing periods, compared to 146 in the previous 11 periods.
