Matthew Stafford Placed On COVID-19 List

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By 97.1 The Ticket

Two of Matthew Stafford's top targets won't be on the field to start training camp -- and neither will Stafford himself. 

The Lions quarterback was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday. 

The #Lions have placed QB Matthew Stafford on the COVID-19 list, per the wire.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 1, 2020

Per Sports Illustrated, Stafford tested positive for the virus last Friday, after negative tests on both Tuesday and Wednesday. He was asymptomatic beforehand. That means he can return to the field either days 10 days from Friday or five days from Friday if he tests negative twice within a 24-hour window.

Stafford is the eighth Lions player to land on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, the most of any team in the NFL. Kenny Golladay and T.J. Hockenson were placed on the list earlier this week. Golladay and Stafford worked out together this offseason in California.
Stafford, 32, also worked out with a group of teammates in June, against the advice of the NFLPA. He said in May that he was taking extra measures to guard against the virus during such workouts. 

“Just trying to make sure we’re limiting the amount of people that are there," he said. "Obviously, it’s only the guy throwing and the guys catching. I’m honestly making a conscious effort to try not to lick my fingers before I get the ball and throw it," he said. "All kinds of things I never thought I’d have to think about. 

"Just trying to make sure we limit our contact. Some of the times in California, I’d throw and we’d be done and everybody would just click cleats and say, ‘I appreciate you running,’ ‘Appreciate you throwing,’ and move on. Doing everything we can to try to stay safe."

In addition to Stafford, Golladay and Hockenson, the Lions have placed CB Justin Coleman, CB Amani Oruwariye, TE Isaac Nauta, S Jalen Elliott and P Arryn Siposs on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. 

Stafford missed the final eight games of last season due to a back injury, but he's expected to be good to go for the start of this season. For now, we'll wait and see.