NFL teams face potential forfeits for COVID-19 outbreaks

(AP) -- The NFL has informed teams they could potentially forfeit a game because of a COVID-19 outbreak among nonvaccinated players, and players on both teams wouldn't get paid that week.

The memo was sent to the teams by Commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday and obtained by The Associated Press.

The memo adds that the league doesn't anticipate adding a 19th week to accommodate games that can't be rescheduled within the 18-week regular season. However, forfeits are among the consequences.

The league says more than half its teams have COVID-19 vaccination rates greater than 80% of their players, and more than 75% of players are in the process of being vaccinated.

Share this article:
Sign up for the Sports Newsletter