6 Raiders defenders join Ferrell, Joyner on COVID-19 list
The Las Vegas Raiders face a stiff test against the Kansas City Chiefs' offense on Sunday, and they may be without some key defenders.
Six Raiders defenders were placed on the COVID-19 list on Wednesday.
The #Raiders on the COVID-19 reserve list. Add in Clelin Ferrell and Lamarcus Joyner, and that’s... a lot. pic.twitter.com/vjD2oR9a9a
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 18, 2020
Defensive end Clelin Ferrell reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 and is unlikely to play in Week 11. All the others are deemed high-risk close contacts and have been put on the reserve list, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. However, if they test negatively throughout the week, those players could be available for Sunday's game.
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden downplayed the matter when speaking to reporters on Wednesday.
"I don't know about the whole defense, but I'm not going to really get into what list anybody's on. We practiced today. We'll be ready for the game on Sunday," Gruden said, according to Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star.
The Raiders have already been punished heavily for not adhering to the NFL's COVID-19 protocols. The team was fined $500,000, Gruden was docked $150,000, and the club will lose a sixth-round pick, according to an early November report.
Las Vegas already had its Week 7 game pulled from prime time due to COVID-19 cases. It's yet to be determined whether the contest against Kansas City will need to be moved from Sunday Night Football.
The Chiefs also have three offensive tackles - including starters Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz - on the COVID-19 list as close contacts. They'll need to test negatively to be available for Sunday's game.