NY Jets have mini-COVID-19 outbreak, add 5 more players to list

The NY Jets have joined the list of teams around the NFL dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks after adding five more players to the list on Monday.

Head coach Robert Saleh spoke to reporters on Monday and revealed that the Jets had placed defensive end John Franklin-Myers, safety Sharrod Neasman, wide receiver Vyncint Smith, defensive tackle Tanzel Smart, and cornerback Lamar Jackson on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

Those five join the likes of defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi, quarterback Mike White, wide receiver Jeff Smith, cornerback/special-teamer Justin Hardee, linebacker Hamsah Nasirildeen, and linebacker Noah Dawkins on the list.

That brings the Jets' total of players on the COVID list to a whopping 11. Fortunately, only two of the players on the list at the moment are starters, but the more positive tests that come in, the more likely it is that others will be added.

The NY Jets can ill-afford a COVID-19 outbreak

The Jets are hardly the only team dealing with COVID hardships at this time. Teams like the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, and Washington Football Team have seen their rosters decimated by outbreaks.

The NFL made the decision to reschedule two games this week as a direct result of rising COVID numbers around the league. The Jets aren't at that level, but their rising cases are a concern.

Fatukasi was forced to sit out of the Jets' Week 15 game against the Miami Dolphins as a result and he remains in COVID-19 protocol, according to Saleh. As for White, he's been on the list for a month now, although he was spotted working out on the practice field this past week.

If Franklin-Myers is unable to play this Sunday, the Jets' defensive line will lose another key player. Star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is also dealing with a shoulder injury and his status for Week 16 is undetermined.

This is a situation worth monitoring as the week goes on. The Jets can ill-afford a COVID-19 outbreak, especially with all of the injuries they've been forced to deal with.