The Cleveland Browns announced Sunday they have placed rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
NFL teams place players on the list either because they test positive for COVID-19 or because they have a high-risk contact with someone who tested positive.
It is unknown whether Owusu-Koramoah tested positive for COVID-19 or came into close contact with someone who did.
If Owusu-Koramoah tested positive for COVID-19 and isn’t vaccinated, he’ll have to quarantine for 10 days.
As of 3 p.m. ET Sunday, Owusu-Koramoah hadn’t posted anything to his Twitter or Instagram about getting placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
We have placed LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. pic.twitter.com/5spjI5tNKQ
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 25, 2021
The NFL and NFL Players Association haven’t required COVID-19 vaccinations for players in the 2021 season, but have placed restrictions on players who aren’t.
It includes unvaccinated NFL players being subject to a fine of $14,650 each time they violate COVID-19 procedures.
On July 22, the NFL sent a memo to teams saying it will not reschedule games during the 18-week 2021 season due to a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players.
The NFL just informed clubs that if a game cannot be rescheduled during the 18-week season in 2021 due to a COVID outbreak among unvaccinated players, the team with the outbreak will FORFEIT and be credited with a loss for playoff seeding, per sources.
Massive implications.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 22, 2021
Here’s the precise language from today’s NFL memo on what would trigger a forfeit: pic.twitter.com/Hupf7Ybr1d
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 22, 2021
Also, players from both teams won’t get paid if a game is forfeited.
It means the offending team could have to pay the other team’s financial losses.
And the biggest penalty of all for players:
"If a game is cancelled and cannot be rescheduled within the current 18-week scheduled due to a Covid outbreak, neither team’s players will receive their weekly paragraph 5 salary."
You read that right: NOBODY GETS PAID.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 22, 2021
The NFL has heavily incentivized players to get vaccinated.
Unvaccinated players must continue to get tested for COVID-19 each day, wear masks and physically distance.
Also, unvaccinated players can’t eat meals with teammates and can’t leave the team hotel to interact with people outside of the team.
The Browns selected Owusu-Koramoah out of Notre Dame with the 52nd overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Owusu-Koramoah along with the Browns’ other rookies and quarterbacks reported to camp on Saturday.
Sunday marked the first on-field day for the Browns’ rookies at training camp.
The rest of the Browns’ players are set to report to training camp on Tuesday, July 27 with full on-field practice set for Wednesday, July 28.
July 30 marks the first date fans can attend one of 12 free practices.
The Browns are set to open their three-game preseason next month:
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