A NFL referee wears a face mask as the Washington Football Team play against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at FedExField on October 4,
A NFL referee wears a face mask as the Washington Football Team play against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at FedExField on October 4, 2020 in Landover, Maryland.
Patrick Smith | Getty Images
The National Football League will postpone several games this weekend due to a surge in Covid-19 cases, among players, multiple sources told CNBC on Friday.
The expected move by the NFL, which would be the first postponement of professional football games this season, comes as the National Hockey League said it will postpone games of several teams for the same reason.
More than 100 NFL players reportedly have tested positive for the coronavirus in the past week.
Sources told CNBC that the Cleveland Browns game against the Las Vegas Raiders will be moved to Monday night, while the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks is being moved to Tuesday.
On Thursday, the NFL updated its protocols related to the coronavirus, saying “the changes we are making today aim to address the increase in cases and the advent of the Omicron variant.”
The league said that it would require all clubs to immediately “implement preventative measures that have proven effective: masking regardless of vaccination status, remote or outdoor meetings, eliminating in-person meals, and no outside visitors while on team travel.”
And the NFL adjusted “the return-to-participation requirements for those who have recovered from COVID-19.”
The NHL on Friday said it was extending the period of game postponements for the Calgary Flames through the team’s previously scheduled game against the Seattle Kraken next Thursday.
The hockey league also said that it was postponing the games of both the Colorado Avalanche and the Florida Panther through the completion of the NHL’s holiday break in its schedule on Dec. 26.
The Flames will have six games postponed, the Avalanche will see four games postponed, and three games will be postponed for the Panthers.
This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.
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