Fred Warner placed on the reserve/Covid-19 List

The San Francisco 49ers announced that linebacker Fred Warner had been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, which means Warner has tested positive for the virus or came in close contact with someone who did. The team may not disclose whether Warner in quarantine or is positive for COVID-19. Warner is the third player that the 49ers have placed on the COVID-19 list after Richie James landed on the list on July 27 and Jeff Wilson Jr. landed on the list on July 30. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw both have missed time, though there has been no word from the team on either player.

Here is the explanation of what exactly the Reserve/COVID-19 list is:

The Reserve/Covid-19 List has been created for a player who either tests positive for COVID-19 or has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person or persons. If a player falls into either of these categories, his club is required to place the player on the Reserve/COVID-19 List immediately. Clubs are not permitted to comment on a player’s medical status other than referring to roster status and may not disclose whether the player is in quarantine or is positive for COVID-19.

The NFL has done a good job during August as under 2% of the players have been on this list. As teams start to play against each other, we’ll see if that number stays low. Here is NFL.com’s explanation on when a player can return after they are placed on the COVID-19 list:

If a player tests positive but has no symptoms, he can return to the facility 10 days after the initial positive test or if he receives two consecutive negative tests within five days of the initial positive test. If the player has a positive test and symptoms, he can return after at least 10 days have passed since the symptoms first appeared and at least 72 hours have passed since he last experienced symptoms.

Players who have close contact with someone who has symptoms will be tested and isolated as soon as possible. If the test is negative, and the player continues to have no symptoms, he may return to the facility but will have increased symptom monitoring and more frequent testing. If the player has close contact with someone who has a positive COVID-19 test, he will be tested and even if the test is negative and the player has no symptoms, he would need a second negative test before being allowed to return.

Warner should be back by Week 1.