Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, as well as other players on his team and on the Houston Texans, have reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus.
Monday on Twitter, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported via sources that “several” Cowboys and Texans have contracted COVID-19.
“None of the players are believed to have been in their team facilities. The teams followed proper health protocols,” Rapoport added.
Several #Cowboys players & several #Texans players have tested positive for COVID-19 recently, sources tell me & @TomPelissero. None of the players are believed to have been in their team facilities. The teams followed proper health protocols.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 15, 2020
Rapoport was also told by Elliott’s agent Rocky Arceneaux that the 24-year-old came down with the virus but is “feeling good.”
#Cowboys star RB Ezekiel Elliott is one of the players who has tested positive for the Coronavirus, his agent Rocky Arceneaux confirmed to me. Arceneaux said Elliott is feeling good.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 15, 2020
However, the Cowboys themselves could not confirm or deny these reports.
“Due to federal and local privacy laws, we are unable to provide information regarding the personal health of any of our employees,” the team said in a statement.
In response to these tweets, Elliott appears to confirm the news but denies that his agent broke the story. He also strongly suggests that his confidentiality rights were violated.
HIPAA ??
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) June 15, 2020
My agent only confirmed. The story was already written. Reporters had been called my agent all morning.
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) June 15, 2020
My agent didn’t break the story to the media
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) June 15, 2020
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, NFLPA medical director Thom Mayer told agents that players will be tested three times a week for COVID-19. Those who test positive will be quarantined from their teams.
In a call with agents today, NFLPA medical director Thom Mayer said the current plan is to test players for COVID-19 about 3 times a week, isolating those who test positive. Per Mayer, there’s a 90% chance reliable saliva testing is available before players return to facilities.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 15, 2020
According to NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith, the union expects to make headway on overall protocols going forward in the next 30 days or so. Scheduled start of camp for most teams is six weeks away.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 15, 2020
In April, Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen became the first known NFL player to contract the coronavirus.
A month before, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton became the first known person in the NFL to test positive for the disease.
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