Colts QB put on NFL reserve/COVID-19 list, out vs Raiders

INDIANAPOLIS —  The Colts were able to overcome the toll COVID-19 took on their roster on Christmas night in Arizona.

But Indianapolis might be facing an even bigger absence on Sunday against the Raiders, a game that would clinch a playoff spot for the Colts with a win.

1:30 p.m.: Colts place Carson Wentz on reserve/COVID-19 list

The Colts placed starting quarterback Carson Wentz on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday, immediately placing his status for Sunday’s game in doubt. Wentz is not vaccinated, and under the NFL’s current COVID-19 protocols, an unvaccinated player must sit out at least 10 days if he tests positive, and five days if he is designated a close contact of somebody who tested positive.

Indianapolis has placed 15 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list in the past week, including six Monday, but Colts head coach Frank Reich indicated Monday that a close contact was not likely.  

“It’s always fluid,” Reich said. “Right now, my understanding from the latest thing I’ve heard is that no one is being ruled out because of any close contacts at this point.”

3 p.m.: NFLPA, NFL discussing reducing quarantine 5 days due to CDC guidance

According to the NFL Network, the NFL and NFL Player’s Association are discussing changes to the league’s protocols to reflect the CDC’s recent change in guidance that allows asymptomatic individuals who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 to end their quarantine after five days, but it’s unclear at this point if the NFL will make a change, when that change might happen and how it might affect unvaccinated players. The CFC’s guidance did not make a distinction between vaccinated and unvaccinated players.