Reports: NFL postpones three games due to COVID-19 outbreak originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
For the first time during the 2021 season, the NFL is postponing games due to COVID-19.
Three games set for this weekend will be played early next week instead.
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Saturday's Cleveland Browns-Las Vegas Raiders game will be moved to Monday. The Seattle Seahawks-Los Angeles Rams game and the Washington Football Team-Philadelphia Eagles game, both previously scheduled for Sunday, will be moved to Tuesday. The NFL announced announced the changes Friday afternoon.
Cleveland, Los Angeles and Washington had over 20 players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list as of Friday.
"We have made these schedule changes based on medical advice and after discussion with the NFLPA as we are seeing a new, highly transmissible form of the virus this week resulting in a substantial increase in cases across the league," the NFL said in a statement.
Last year, 15 games throughout the season were postponed and rescheduled due to COVID-19.
The NFL updated its COVID-19 protocols on Thursday after outbreaks across the league. Three teams — the Browns, Rams and Washington Football Team — have over 20 players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list entering Week 15. Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week, tweeted his frustration with the NFL's decision to alter protocols.
Mayfield, as well as backup quarterback Case Keenum, were set to miss Saturday's game due to positive tests. Other Cleveland starters — including Jadeveon Clowney, Austin Hooper, Jarvis Landry, Troy Hill, John Johnson III, Wyatt Teller and Jedrick Wills Jr. — are currently on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Cleveland-Las Vegas will be played on Monday at 5 p.m. ET.
The Rams' Von Miller, Odell Beckham Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Tyler Higbee, Jordan Fuller and others are on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Ramsey and Higbee both missed Los Angeles' game in Week 14 after testing positive. Los Angeles-Seattle will be played on Tuesday.
Washington is also down plenty of starters, including Taylor Heinicke, Jonathan Allen and others. Washington-Philadelphia will be played on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.
