How The NFL, NBA, NHL Are Handling COVID-19 Cases, Omicron Variant

After months of few disruptions, professional sports are now being affected by an increase in coronavirus cases. The NBA, NFL and NHL have all postponed games this week because of COVID-19 outbreaks within teams, forcing the leagues to make changes to their policies.

Fueled by the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, three NFL games were postponed this past weekend, each being rescheduled for two nights later. Five NBA games have been delayed, while 27 total NHL games have been postponed in the 2021-2022 season.

A COVID-19 outbreak within the Cleveland Browns forced the NFL to move its first Saturday game of the season. Cleveland will host the Las Vegas Raiders at 5 p.m. EST as part of a “Monday Night Football” doubleheader.

With the Washington Football Team (at the Philadelphia Eagles) and Los Angeles Rams (vs. the Seattle Seahawks) having more than 20 COVID-positive players each, their games were moved from Sunday to Tuesday.

The rising number of COVID cases caused wild swings in the betting markets. Cleveland went from a six-point favorite all the way down to a 3.5-point underdog over the course of a few days. Now that the game won’t be played until late Monday afternoon, the Browns are favored by a field goal.

Most of the players who have COVID are vaccinated and experiencing mild or no symptoms. On Saturday, the NFL announced a change in its testing policy. Players and coaches who are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic will no longer be tested on a weekly basis.

​”The NFL and NFLPA have been engaged with our medical advisors to address the emergence of the new Omicron variant and how to stop the spread to ensure we keep everyone safe and complete the remainder of the season responsibly,” the NFL and NFLPA said in a statement. “The intensive protocols implemented last week and the rescheduling of three games were designed to stop the transmission of the virus and play this week's games safely.

"After this weekend's games, we have agreed to put into place a new set of protocols, which will include a more targeted testing plan, more flexibility for players to attend meetings virtually and also a high-risk player opt-out for the remainder of the season.”

The NHL has said that the season will continue since there have been a low number of positive cases that have resulted in concerning symptoms. The league announced that all games involving a team based in Canada and a team based in the U.S. scheduled from Monday through Thursday will be postponed. Twelve such contests will be rescheduled for a later date.

The NBA is taking a different route in its attempt to carry on with the season. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA and the NBPA agreed to let teams that have players in the league's health and safety protocols sign additional replacement players.

The new rules run through Jan. 19. They stipulate that teams with two positive COVID-19 cases have to add at least one replacement player. For every additional case, another replacement player must be signed.

As of Sunday night, 69 NBA players had been placed in health and safety protocols this season.