Cam Jordan has played 11 seasons in the NFL.
- Games played: 172.
- Games missed: 0.
Yes, you did the math right. The Saints defensive end has played in every possible NFL game since he entered the league in 2011, but that streak is in serious jeopardy this week after a positive COVID test.
It's not over yet, though, as Mickey Loomis explained Monday on WWL Radio, speaking with Mike Hoss and Bobby Hebert.
"Unfortunately he tested positive today," Loomis said, calmly relaying what's become the latest bizarre circumstance to challenge the Saints in the 2021 season.
One of the words he said confirmed one of the details that could make it possible for Jordan to play in Week 14 against the Jets, despite the positive test. Because it came so early in the week, it's still possible for Jordan to play if he clears a few hurdles.
Jordan would need to remain asymptomatic, which is reportedly the case. Should symptoms emerge, the NFL's longest active "games started" streak (156) would also end.
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He'll also need to log a minimum of two negative tests prior to being cleared. Those tests must come more than 24 hours apart. NFL rules stipulate he be away from the team for five days regardless, so any possible return ruling would likely last well into the weekend. The Saints face the Jets at noon Sunday.
"There’s still some hope but it’s just something else we have to deal with," Loomis said.
The team was still in the process of contact tracing as of Monday evening, Loomis said. With the Saints off since facing the Cowboys on Thursday, the potential close contacts will be limited. Either way, one positive test means waiting for the other shoe to drop. The Saints learned that lesson the hard way, twice, with multiple running backs missing Week 17 in the 2020 season, and several assistant coaches missing Week 2 earlier this year.
"Part of the issue when you have a positive test is now you’re just kind of hanging on hoping you don’t have any more positive tests during the course of the week," Loomis said.
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The NFL rules have been lessened since 2020, meaning close contacts that are vaccinated simply go into a daily testing protocol.
Could it amount to one key player added to the list of those missing? Or even more? Or none at all? One thing is for likely: The active ironman title will remain in New Orleans.
The player next in like on the "consecutive games played" list is Demario Davis at 156.