The recent spike in COVID-19 cases among NFL players continues to take its toll on the Los Angeles Rams.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham has tested positive for COVID-19, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday.
Beckham's positive test comes just a day after the club placed All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey on the reserve/COVID-19 list shortly before their 30-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Coach Sean McVay also announced Tuesday that his team has entered enhanced COVID-19 protocols and is closing down the facility through at least Wednesday.
Josina Anderson of CBS Sports and USA Today first reported the news on Beckham.
Beckham, along with defensive back Terrell Burgess, tight end Brycen Hopkins, defensive back JuJu Hughes, offensive tackle Alaric Jackson, nose tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, defensive end Jonah Williams, defensive back Jordan Fuller and defensive back Tyler Hall were placed on the Rams' reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday. Tight end Tyler Higbee was activated off the list.
McVay called the situation "uniquely challenging," according to Jordan Rodrigue of The Athletic.
McVay said all players who have been designated for the reserve/COVID-19 list have been vaccinated. Other current Rams on the list include running back Darrell Henderson, offensive tackle Rob Havenstein and cornerback Donte' Deayon.
"There's going to be more people that are affected by this," McVay said, per Greg Beacham of The Associated Press.
McVay's comments came before news broke of Beckham's positive test.
The Rams are scheduled to play host to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Also especially hard-hit by the virus are the Cleveland Browns, who announced Tuesday that the club has entered enhanced protocols and designated eight players to the reserve/COVID-19 list. All eight -- wide receivers Jarvis Landry and JoJo Natson, tight ends Austin Hooper and Ross Travis, offensive tackle Jedrick Wills, guards Wyatt Teller and Drew Forbes and defensive end Takkarist McKinley -- tested positive, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Three other Browns missed Sunday's win over the Ravens due to their placement on the COVID-19 list.
On Monday, the NFL mandated all Tier 1 and 2 personnel "who have previously been vaccinated and are eligible under [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines, must receive a booster shot" by Dec. 27. The mandate does not include players.
