2 Chiefs backups on COVID-19 list
IN BRIEF
The Chiefs placed a pair of backups, receiver Demarcus Robinson and center Daniel Kilgore, on the COVID-19 list as close contacts Monday as they begin final preparations for the Super Bowl against the Buccaneers.
Neither of the players actually tested positive for COVID-19, which means Robinson — a regular contributor — and Kilgore could still play in the Sunday’s game.
Both would need to return negative tests throughout the week to get off the list.
“The NFL has done a great job with it, presenting different safety things for the players to stay as safe as possible,”
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “We’ve been hammering this point home forever. The problem is you’re fighting the invisible man. It just gets you when least expected, and we’re seeing that in everything. It’s an unfortunate thing.
“These guys were being as safe as they could be, and we’ll just see how it goes. But the league has built-in rules and regulations, so we follow those, and it’ll all work out. It’ll all work out for them when it’s all said and done.”
Robinson appeared in every game this season, setting career highs with 45 receptions for 466 yards to go with three TD catches. He also can return kicks and punts and helps out with other special teams units.
“Obviously D-Rob is a big part of our offense and hopefully he’s out there with us,” Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes said. “If not, we have guys that can step up.
“We’ll just prepare to be the best team we can be.”
Kilgore started four games earlier this season when center Austin Reiter missed three games to an injury, and when the Chiefs rested their starters in Week 17 with the AFC’s top seed already secured. He also played some special teams snaps against the Bills in the conference championship game.
In other injury news, Reid said cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is out of the league’s concussion protocol and will be available for the Super Bowl, and receiver Sammy Watkins should play for the first time since hurting his calf in Week 16.
NBA: Hornets rookie PG LaMelo Ball made his first career start against the Heat. He replaced Terry Rozier, who was out with a sprained ankle. Ball, 19, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, had been averaging 12.2 points, 6.1 assists and 5.9 rebounds in 25 minutes per game. ... Warriors rookie C James Wiseman will be out at least a week after suffering a sprained left wrist during Saturday night’s win over the Pistons. Wiseman, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, is averaging 12.2 points and 1.3 blocks in 21 minutes per game.
NHL: The Devils postponed their next three games because they have 10 players on the league’s COVID-19 list. The Devils were scheduled to face the Penguins on Tuesday and Thursday and the Rangers on Saturday.
The NHL has had 14 games postponed since the season began Jan. 13.
Soccer: Jesús Ferreira scored his first two international goals and had three assists, and Paul Arriola and Jonathan Lewis scored twice each to power the U.S. past Trinidad and Tobago 7-0 in an exhibition Sunday night in Orlando, Fla. Lewis scored his first international goal, as did Miles Robinson.
Neither of the players actually tested positive for COVID-19, which means Robinson — a regular contributor — and Kilgore could still play in the Sunday’s game.
Both would need to return negative tests throughout the week to get off the list.
“The NFL has done a great job with it, presenting different safety things for the players to stay as safe as possible,”
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “We’ve been hammering this point home forever. The problem is you’re fighting the invisible man. It just gets you when least expected, and we’re seeing that in everything. It’s an unfortunate thing.
“These guys were being as safe as they could be, and we’ll just see how it goes. But the league has built-in rules and regulations, so we follow those, and it’ll all work out. It’ll all work out for them when it’s all said and done.”
Robinson appeared in every game this season, setting career highs with 45 receptions for 466 yards to go with three TD catches. He also can return kicks and punts and helps out with other special teams units.
“Obviously D-Rob is a big part of our offense and hopefully he’s out there with us,” Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes said. “If not, we have guys that can step up.
“We’ll just prepare to be the best team we can be.”
Kilgore started four games earlier this season when center Austin Reiter missed three games to an injury, and when the Chiefs rested their starters in Week 17 with the AFC’s top seed already secured. He also played some special teams snaps against the Bills in the conference championship game.
In other injury news, Reid said cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is out of the league’s concussion protocol and will be available for the Super Bowl, and receiver Sammy Watkins should play for the first time since hurting his calf in Week 16.
NBA: Hornets rookie PG LaMelo Ball made his first career start against the Heat. He replaced Terry Rozier, who was out with a sprained ankle. Ball, 19, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, had been averaging 12.2 points, 6.1 assists and 5.9 rebounds in 25 minutes per game. ... Warriors rookie C James Wiseman will be out at least a week after suffering a sprained left wrist during Saturday night’s win over the Pistons. Wiseman, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, is averaging 12.2 points and 1.3 blocks in 21 minutes per game.
NHL: The Devils postponed their next three games because they have 10 players on the league’s COVID-19 list. The Devils were scheduled to face the Penguins on Tuesday and Thursday and the Rangers on Saturday.
The NHL has had 14 games postponed since the season began Jan. 13.
Soccer: Jesús Ferreira scored his first two international goals and had three assists, and Paul Arriola and Jonathan Lewis scored twice each to power the U.S. past Trinidad and Tobago 7-0 in an exhibition Sunday night in Orlando, Fla. Lewis scored his first international goal, as did Miles Robinson.
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