Report: Big Ten drops 21-day policy to 17 for COVID-19 positive players
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The Big Ten is dropping the time a player has to sit out after testing positive for COVID-19 from 21 days to 17, a source told Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic.
The move will benefit Ohio State, which could have a number of players return to the lineup for the College Football Playoff semifinal against Clemson. Ryan Day's program won the Big Ten championship on Saturday despite being down 22 players, many sitting out due to COVID-19 protocols.
The Big Ten, which initially canceled its fall season before starting in October, implemented guidelines that are among the most strict in the country for college football programs. Only four teams in the Big Ten were able to complete their full regular-season schedule without a COVID-19 cancellation.