Chiefs’ Chris Jones practices Friday, will play Sunday after brief stay on COVID list
Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones’ time on the reserve/COVID-19 list lasted less than 24 hours.
And coach Andy Reid said Friday afternoon that Jones practiced Friday and will play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
Jones, who landed on the list Thursday afternoon after coming in close contact to someone who tested positive for coronavirus, returned to the team facility Friday morning, a source familiar with the situation confirmed to The Star.
The NFL Network first reported the news.
Reid said Jones practiced after passing the stringent league-wide COVID-19 safety protocol, which includes contact tracing and interviews.
“He was good to go for today and he did practice,” Reid said.
Reid declined to go into details on what other steps were followed leading to Jones’ fast return, but he noted the Chiefs had approval from the league.
“I’m not going to get into all that, but it all worked out,” Reid said. “They interview him and talk to him to find out whatever information they need, then they go from there.
“I’m not going to get into details of it. I mean, that’s not what we do, but he was back and we did follow the protocols. I think that’s probably the most important thing and it was OK’d by the league.”
And with Jones back on the practice field, his status for playing against the Panthers is green-lighted.
“Chris is good to go,” Reid said.
The Chiefs were affected by COVID-19 Thrusday, announcing that an unnamed staff member had tested positive and closing their training facility Thursday afternoon following a late-morning practice. The NFL Network later identified the staff member as head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder, who also serves as the Chiefs’ infectious control officer.
“Guys stepped up to fill in for Rick,” Reid said. “His people did a nice job with the team and working with them.”
Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz (back) was the only Chiefs player who did not practice Friday, marking his third straight day of missed on-field work, and he is listed as out for Sunday’s game. Schwartz hasn’t played or practiced since Week 6.
Reid said wide receiver Sammy Watkins (hamstring) and defensive end Frank Clark (knee) practiced Friday but didn’t commit to their availability for Sunday’s game.
The Chiefs later designated Watkins and Clark as questionable against the Panthers.
This story was originally published November 6, 2020 at 10:43 AM.
