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Panthers running back caught up in wild spread of COVID positives

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz12/14/21NickSchultz_7

The list of positive COVID-19 cases in the NFL keeps growing. Add Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey to the list.

McCaffrey, who’s on injured reserve and out for the year with an ankle injury, tested positive Tuesday, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He’s at least the third big name to test positive Tuesday, following Los Angeles Rams star Odell Beckham Jr. and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry.

McCaffrey played in seven games this year before hitting injured reserve. In those games, he had 442 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. He also had 343 receiving yards and a touchdown in the air.

Carolina is 5-8 this year and is coming off a 29-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week. The Panthers will try to right the ship this week against Buffalo Bills Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

Rams, Browns place players on COVID reserve

There have been plenty of positive COVID-19 tests across the NFL this week. On Monday, the league reported 37 positive tests, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Prior to their Monday Night Football matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, the Rams placed five players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including tight end Tyler Higbee and running back Darrell Henderson Jr. Then, on Tuesday, Beckham was added to the list after reportedly testing positive and Los Angeles closed their facilities as part of intensive protocols.

The Browns are also dealing with an outbreak. They placed eight players on the COVID-19 list, including Landry and tight end Austin Hooper. Cleveland is also in the enhanced protocols, but it makes things even more complicated considering the Browns are on a short week. They’re supposed to take on the Las Vegas Raiders in a rare Saturday showdown.

In the intensive protocols, the facilities close and teams are to hold meetings virtually, according to the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols.