Just as the NFL is about to update its COVID-19 mandate, the league is dealing with its worst outbreak since the start of the pandemic. Thirty-seven players tested positive on Monday, with the Los Angeles Rams having the most players on the COVID-19 list. On Tuesday, nine players were added to their list, including newly acquired Odell Beckham Jr., pushing the total to 13. Cleveland’s Jarvis Landry and QB Baker Mayfield was among nine players added to the Browns’ list, putting their total at 12. In addition, the league has set a deadline of December 27 for all coaches, front office staff, and team personnel to receive a booster shot to keep their vaccinated status. 

Jaguars’ Head Coaching Troubles

Along with having a 2-11 record, the Jacksonville Jaguars have not been short of controversy off the field this season. Coach Urban Meyer’s first season at the helm is not going too well as he’s had several talked-about incidents recently.

Earlier this season, he was the subject of a video where he was seen dancing intimately with a woman that wasn’t his wife. In another incident, he had a heated argument with receiver Marvin Jones who was so angry afterward that staff members had to convince him to return. In yet another happening, it was reported that he ripped into his coaches during a staff meeting, calling them losers.

It appears that Meyer has some enemies behind the scenes that have been leaking these unfortunate stories. Under speculation of a coaching change happening, team owner Shad Khan says he’s staying with Meyer but expects more from him. Khan said, “I feel like we have a roster that is far better than winning two games.” But with only those two wins, he has left the door open and will do whatever he thinks he needs to in the current situation.

Ravens Risk Missing Playoffs

Before this Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore was the #3 seed in the AFC. However, Lamar Jackson was carted off in the first half with an ankle injury in the NFL, and the Ravens ended up losing a close game 24-22. His status for next week’s game against the Green Bay Packers is still unclear.

The worst thing this team needs is to be without their starting QB at this point in the season. The team is already decimated with injuries, and last week, their best defensive player, Marlon Humphrey, suffered a chest injury, making him the fourth defensive back to be lost for the season.

The Ravens are the #4 seed in the AFC after their second straight loss, tied with the Chargers, but have five teams that are now within one game of them in the conference standings. With three challenging games upcoming, Baltimore risks falling out of playoff contention if they can’t find a way to win without their quarterback.

Bucs to Decide Fate of Antonio Brown

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said on Tuesday that he hadn’t made a decision about Antonio Brown’s future with the team, saying that his decision could go either way. However, he stated that they might announce something later this week regarding Brown and Mike Edwards, who was also suspended. They are both eligible to play again on December 26 against the Panthers.

Brown is accused of violating the league’s COVID-19 protocol in misrepresenting his status by falsifying his vaccination card to the Buccaneers, for which he was suspended for three games by the league without pay. It looks like there’s a good chance that Brown won’t be allowed to return to the team by Arians, who was very passionate about getting the Bucs 100% vaccinated. He was the one who gave Brown another shot in the NFL after no one else wanted him.

In an interview after they signed him in 2020, the coach stated, “He screws up one time, he’s gone.”  Unless Arians goes back on his promise, it’s possible that we may have seen the last of Antonio Brown.