Following a number of COVID-19 positive tests, the NFL has postponed three Week 15 games from their originally scheduled time. All three games feature teams who were put into intensive COVID protocols this week and have been adding players to the reserve/COVID-19 list on a daily basis this week.
To stay up to date with all the latest COVID-related roster movements, check out our COVID tracker.
NFL games postponed in Week 15 due to COVID-19
The three NFL games postponed in Week 15 are spread across Saturday and Sunday. This week was set to be the first time the NFL had Saturday games this season following the end of the college football season.
The other two games were set to be played on a more standard schedule on Sunday. The Washington Football Team vs. Philadelphia Eagles game was due to play at 1 PM ET with Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams at 4:25 PM ET.
Cleveland Browns vs. Las Vegas Raiders moved to Monday at 5 PM ET
The Browns registered positive tests throughout the week, including nearly half of their starters. Both quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum tested positive as well. Therefore, the Browns were set to start Nick Mullens at QB, who they activated from the practice squad on Thursday. They also added Kyle Lauletta on Friday.
However, the NFL has remained steadfast that they would not move games for competitive reasons. While there are high-profile names on the COVID list, the fact they have more than 20 players on the list as of Friday is a bigger issue that has forced this game back.
Washington Football Team vs. Philadelphia Eagles moved to Tuesday at 7 PM ET
Washington has also struggled with players testing positive. As of Friday, Washington’s roster lists 21 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. That includes both Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen, leading to them signing Garrett Gilbert, who was expected to start.
Moving the game to Tuesday gives Washington a chance to get some of those players to test out of the protocol and play. However, per Albert Breer, 80% of the players placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list have failed to test out of the protocols and have spent the full 10 days on the reserve list. If that is the case, only four of the more than 20 players on the list are currently coming out of the protocols due to the 10-day window Tuesday.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams moved to Tuesday at 7 PM ET
The Rams saw their game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14 impacted by COVID-19. They were without RB Darrell Henderson Jr., DBs Jalen Ramsey and Donte Deayon, OT Rob Havenstein, and TE Tyler Higbee. Higbee’s positive test turned out to be a false positive, and the Rams removed him from the COVID list on Tuesday.
Since then, the Rams have placed more players on the list daily, including WR Odell Beckham Jr. and LB Von Miller. Yet, much like Washington and Cleveland, the Rams would still be without a number of their players if they fail to test out as 10 days will not have passed from their positive test.