NFL ends daily COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated players

The NFL sent a memo to its remaining playoff teams stating it'll discontinue daily COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated players, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert.

The NFL tested unvaccinated players every day throughout the season. It stopped daily testing for vaccinated players in December, as most of the cases popping up were asymptomatic.

For the rest of the playoffs, the league will test vaccinated and unvaccinated players when they show symptoms or get included in random testing.

"This comprehensive, symptom-based approach to testing reflects our recent experience with the Omicron variant and conforms to current public health recommendations and best practices employed in healthcare, and offers the best opportunity for identifying and treating cases promptly and avoiding spread within the facility," the memo states.

The NFL Players Association approved the change as part of the league's amendments to its COVID-19 protocols.

With only 8 teams remaining in play, there are only about 12 unvaccinated players remaining, according to a source. So this change applies to a relatively small group of people.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) January 22, 2022