A dozen Philadelphia Eagles tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Among the notable players who tested positive include Fletcher Cox, Dallas Goedert and Jason Kelce. Others on the COVID list are LB Genard Avery, S Marcus Epps, G Nate Herbig, RB Jordan Howard, CB Avonte Maddox, S Rodney McLeod, RB Boston Scott, LB Alex Singleton and TE Jack Stoll.
The Eagles clinched a playoff spot on Sunday with their win over the Washington Football Team, but anyone who is asymptomatic still has a chance to return for the next game against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday.
The new COVID protocols, which were agreed to last Tuesday, allow for a player to only need to isolate for five days after a positive test if they are asymptomatic, regardless of vaccination status.
Per Pelissero, fully vaccinated players are only tested if symptomatic or they are randomly selected or volunteer. With the playoffs approaching, he noted that players may volunteer to be tested on Mondays to start the five-day clock early if they are positive. Players do not have to test again after a positive test.
While these players could still return for Saturday’s game it is also possible that the Eagles could decide to rest a good chunk of their starters with a playoff berth already clinched.
Head coach Nick Sirianni was noncommittal about it when asked on WIP on Monday, but said it would be discussed with other coaches and decided on later this week.
The Eagles cannot get a home game in the playoffs and will either be the sixth or seventh seed in the wild-card round. They will not know who their opponent will be for either matchup until after Sunday’s games, which could factor into Sirianni’s decision.
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