COVID-19 impacts Week 16 NFL slate: Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill playing, TE Travis Kelce not cleared
The NFL is not immune to the surging COVID-19 pandemic, meaning players, staffers and coaches across the league will not see action in Week 16 due to their infection or close contact to those with the virus.
Here's a brief look at which teams and players are affected by the coronavirus this Sunday.
TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs activated wide receiver Tyreek Hill and Kelce on Saturday in hopes both could clear testing protocols by the time kickoff arrived (4:25 p.m. ET vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers). Hill will be playing, but Kelce won't. Kelce had been one of the 51 names added to the league's COVID-19 list on Monday.
Linebacker Nick Bolt and offensive lineman Lucas Niang will also be out for Kansas City. Quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Mike Kafka won't be available for the Chiefs as well.
RB Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
Ekeler tested positive for the virus earlier last week and on Saturday said in an Instagram video that he tested positive for a second time, thus knocking him out of the Chargers' game Sunday vs. the Houston Texans. Justin Jackson is expected to replace him as the primary back.
Los Angeles wide receiver Mike Williams will also miss the game; he was added to the COVID-19 list on Saturday.
QB Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens
Huntley tested positive Saturday after not feeling well. As the Ravens' backup – Lamar Jackson remains sidelined with an ankle injury – that means journeyman 35-year-old quarterback Josh Johnson will lead Baltimore against the Cincinnati Bengals in a battle for first place.
After leading the Lions to a victory over then-top NFC seed Arizona, Goff landed on the COVID-19 list and will not play against the Atlanta Falcons. Backup Tim Boyle will start.
HC Robert Saleh, New York Jets
The Jets' first-year head coach tested positive Wednesday morning and on Saturday the team announced he would not be on the sidelines for Sunday's home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Longtime NFL and college assistant Ron Middleton, who has been running the team's practices, will assume Saleh's duties.
The Jets also placed defensive lineman Quinnen Williams on the COVID-19 list before kickoff.
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL COVID-19 injury updates Week 16: Travis Kelce, Austin Ekeler out
