Dez Bryant waited three years to have a crack on the Cowboys after they launched him in 2017. However moments earlier than dealing with Dallas on Tuesday evening, the Ravens receiver was notified he had examined constructive for COVID-19 after which pulled from warmups.
The NFL determined to maneuver ahead with the beginning of the sport anyway — a call that puzzled many observers, given his shut proximity with teammates.
“Contact tracing was performed from yesterday and in the present day utilizing the contact tracing gadget and the usual interviews,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy mentioned, by way of Professional Soccer Discuss. “There have been no high-risk contacts recognized.”
“This can be a situation that had been contemplated through the improvement of the protocols and one the league, golf equipment and NFLPA deliberate for,” McCarty added. “The protocols labored.”
Bryant wrote on social media that the sequence of the occasions had satisfied him he did not need to play anymore in 2020. It satisfied loads of others that the NFL’s strategy to the pandemic was a charade.
“Yea I’m going to go forward and name it a give up (sic) for the remainder of the season,” Bryant mentioned in a Twitter submit. “I can’t take care of this.”
Yea I’m going to go forward and name it a give up for the remainder of the season… I can’t take care of this
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) December 9, 2020
MORE: Ravens-Cowboys reside sport updates
The NFL conducts contact tracing following any constructive check. Those that are deemed excessive danger of getting being contaminated are then quarantined, no matter whether or not they have examined constructive themselves.
After Ravens gamers warmed up with Bryant on Tuesday and presumably frolicked round him this week, there was no sport delay. The league reportedly used monitoring knowledge from gadgets gamers wore to find out no high-risk contact occured. It additionally reportedly performed interviews with folks on the sector.
Yet another be aware: The NFL did its normal contact tracing, together with Kinexon monitoring knowledge and interviews, and didn’t decide any high-risk shut contacts. Identical procedures as another constructive check. Ready to drag these if recognized, however none have been recognized. So, solely Dez out.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 9, 2020
Bought a solution as to why Dez Bryant was allowed to heat up. Per an NFL supply, his inconclusive check didn’t come again till after he had already taken the sector. As quickly because the check did come again, he was pulled and given a degree of care PCR check that returned constructive.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) December 9, 2020
That hasn’t satisfied everybody the NFL is doing the appropriate factor. The Ravens have handled a COVID-19 outbreak for weeks; they’re enjoying Tuesday evening somewhat than Sunday due to these prior constructive assessments. Even the nationwide Fox broadcast sounded confused in regards to the state of affairs, and many individuals on social media have been essential of the league.
When images purportedly showing Bryant hugging former Cowboys teammates emerged, the outcry in regards to the sport being performed grew louder.
However temporary interactions are usually not thought of problematic, in line with NFL protocol, and thus weren’t ample for the sport to be postponed within the eyes of league officers.
Seeing loads of questions on shut contacts, particularly given images of Dez Bryant hugging and interacting with Cowboys folks earlier than the sport. This is how “shut contact” is outlined within the NFL/NFLPA coverage. Word that it doesn’t embody “temporary interactions.” pic.twitter.com/EMqK7NQNXT
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) December 9, 2020
