Public health
FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, file photo, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, second from left, watches players warm up before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Jacksonville, Fla. Six unidentified members of the Saints coaching staff, a player and a nutritionist have tested positive for COVID-19, two people familiar with the situation said, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. The people spoke with The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the team and NFL had not made a public statement about the matter. The names of those who tested positive were not expected to be released in the short term because of federal medical privacy laws. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Saints enter Carolina game without 8 assistant coaches

4 hrs ago

Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Austin Jackson talks with the media after NFL football practice, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. (David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP)
Dolphins' Austin Jackson: 'The vaccine definitely helped'

By Tim Reynolds Sep. 16, 2021 03:09 AM EDT

Fans cheer during the second half of an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Buffalo Bills to require proof of vaccination from fans

Sep. 14, 2021 06:09 PM EDT

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) walks the field during NFL football practice in Fort Worth, Texas, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Winston praises Payton as Saints assistants deal with COVID

By Schuyler Dixon Sep. 14, 2021 02:53 PM EDT

Houston Texans fans bow their heads during a 9/11 memorial video before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Tailgating, face-painted fans back in force at NFL stadiums

By Rob Maaddi Sep. 12, 2021 02:50 PM EDT

Dolphins activate LT Austin Jackson from COVID-19 list

Sep. 11, 2021 01:41 PM EDT
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Left tackle Austin Jackson was activated by the Miami Dolphins from the COVID-19 reserve list Saturday, making him eligible to play...

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)
Column: NFL season opens with hope and COVID-19 still in air

By Tim Dahlberg Sep. 11, 2021 10:49 AM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans cheer during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Crowded stadiums, pandemic create combustible mix this fall

By Tom Murphy Sep. 11, 2021 07:55 AM EDT

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette (15) runs with the ball as Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Chiefs' Mathieu remains in COVID-19 protocol ahead of opener

By Dave Skretta Sep. 10, 2021 03:00 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 18, 2021, file photo, New York Jets wide receiver Jamison Crowder stretches during a joint NFL football practice with the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis. Crowder is recovering from symptoms of COVID-19 and his status for the opening game at Carolina remains uncertain. Coach Robert Saleh said Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, that Crowder is vaccinated against the virus, but the receiver's availability for the season opener will depend on how he feels. As a vaccinated player, Crowder will also need to produce two negative tests 24 hours apart, per NFL protocols. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke, File)
Jets' Crowder still recovering from COVID, out vs Panthers

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Sep. 10, 2021 11:41 AM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans tailgate outside Raymond James Stadium before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
NFL opens to full stadiums as COVID-19 surges

By Rob Maaddi Sep. 09, 2021 04:33 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 29, 2021, file photo, Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) talks with wide receiver Julio Jones (2) during NFL football practice in Nashville, Tenn. Tannehill is the highest profile member of the Titans' latest COVID-19 outbreak. He returned to practice Monday and is busy working to finetune and reconnect with their biggest offseason addition Julio Jones before Sunday's opener with Arizona. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)
Tannehill only had mild symptoms, now back finetuning timing

By Teresa M. Walker Sep. 08, 2021 05:26 PM EDT

NFLPA calls for daily COVID-19 testing for all players

By Rob Maaddi Sep. 07, 2021 08:39 PM EDT
The NFL Players Association wants daily COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated players. The league and the union agreed last week to update...

FILE - In this July 25, 2021, file photo, members of the Emerald City Supporters and other fans wave flags and cheer before an MLS soccer match between the Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City in Seattle. Fans attending most pro sporting events in Seattle will soon be required to show proof they've been vaccinated against COVID-19 or that they've tested negative for the virus. The NFL's Seahawks, MLS's Sounders, NHL's Kraken and the University of Washington all announced updated policies Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, for fans attending games this season. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Sporting Kansas City vs Seattle Sounders 7/25/2021

Sep. 07, 2021 02:53 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2021, file photo, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson signs autographs for fans before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Seattle. Fans attending most pro sporting events in Seattle will soon be required to show proof they've been vaccinated against COVID-19 or that they've tested negative for the virus. The NFL's Seahawks, MLS's Sounders, NHL's Kraken and the University of Washington all announced updated policies Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, for fans attending games this season. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)
Seahawks, Sounders, Kraken to require proof of vaccination

Sep. 07, 2021 02:28 PM EDT

FILE - Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is shown during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., in this Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, file photo. The Titans' virus outbreak keeps growing with quarterback Ryan Tannehill among three players being added to the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken, File)
Titans' outbreak nears end, other NFL teams deal with COVID

By Teresa M. Walker Sep. 06, 2021 04:48 PM EDT

Panthers' Miller to miss Jets game because of COVID-19

Sep. 06, 2021 03:17 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Panthers starting right guard John Miller has been placed on the COVID-19 reserve list and will miss Carolina’s home opener on Sunday...

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette (15) runs with the ball as Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Chiefs still missing Mathieu to COVID as Week 1 work begins

By Dave Skretta Sep. 06, 2021 02:02 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 18, 2021, file photo, New York Jets wide receiver Jamison Crowder stretches during a joint NFL football practice with the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis. Crowder is recovering from symptoms of COVID-19 and his status for the opening game at Carolina remains uncertain. Coach Robert Saleh said Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, that Crowder is vaccinated against the virus, but the receiver's availability for the season opener will depend on how he feels. As a vaccinated player, Crowder will also need to produce two negative tests 24 hours apart, per NFL protocols. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke, File)
Jets' Crowder remains day to day with COVID-19 symptoms

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Sep. 06, 2021 12:41 PM EDT

Chicago Bears defensive back DeAndre Houston-Carson, right, intercepts the ball against Miami Dolphins tight end Adam Shaheen during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Chicago, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Dolphins place Jackson, Shaheen on COVID reserve list

Sep. 06, 2021 10:04 AM EDT