On COVID-19 and Sports: Jon Gruden Said Raiders Coaches Not Allowed To Leave Town During Bye Week
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
As the COVID-19 pandemic forces the NFL to re-shuffle its games and TV schedule, Raiders coach Jon Gruden said he’s challenhing “our guys to be smart” during the Bye Week this week as the Las Vegas franchise prepares for its next game against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Oct. 25.
During today’s media session, Gruden was asked about the protocols during the Bye Week.
“There’s a lot of protocols. (GM) Mike Mayock and our staff keep me abreast of all of those. They have to come in every day to be tested. That’s mandatory by the league and the players union. None of the coaches are allowed to leave town either. We have to be in town and be tested every day,” Gruden explained.
“We’ll open up our building for our players to come in and do that, obviously. We’re going to challenge our guys to be smart, wear the proper face shields where ever they go. Be very careful because we’d like to keep this group together and see what we can do the rest of the season.”
We’re going to challenge our guys to be smart, wear the proper face shields where ever they go — Raiders coach Jon Gruden
The NFL has cracked down the Raiders for protocol violations. Gruden has been socked with a fine for not wearing his face covering. Raiders tight end Darren Waller, who held his foundation’s fund-raiser in Henderson two weeks ago, was fined also $30,000. Nine other Raiders platers were there, too, and they were fined a total of $165,000. Players Derek Carr, Derek Carrier, Zay Jones, Nevin Lawson, Erik Magnuson, Foster Moreau, Nathan Peterman, Hunter Renfrow, Jason Witten were each fined $15,000 apiece. The NFL is not fooling around about pandemic protocols.
Let’s take a look at the NFL’s newly-adjusted schedule.
Following the postponement of the Week 5 Denver Broncos at New England Patriots game, the NFL announced today the following schedule changes:
— The Denver Broncos at New England Patriots game will be played in Week 6 on Sunday, October 18 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
— The Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills Week 6 game moves from Thursday, October 15 to Monday, October 19 at 5:00 p.m. ET on FOX/NFL Network/Amazon.
— The New York Jets at Miami Dolphins game moves from Week 10 to Week 6 at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS.
— The New York Jets at Los Angeles Chargers game moves from Week 6 to Week 11 on Sunday, November 22 at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS.
— The Jacksonville Jaguars at Los Angeles Chargers game moves from Week 8 to Week 7 on Sunday, October 25 at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS.
— The Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos game moves from Week 11 to Week 8 on Sunday, November 1 at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS.
— The Los Angeles Chargers at Miami Dolphins game moves from Week 7 to Week 10 on Sunday, November 15 at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS.
— The Miami Dolphins at Denver Broncos game moves from Week 6 to Week 11 at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS.
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