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According to the NFL transaction wire, Jaguars quarterback Jake Luton has been placed on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list. According to multiple reports, Luton is being placed on the list due to a positive test result.
Luton, along with New York Giants rookie receiver Kadarius Toney become the first known player positives of the 2021 season.
#Giants WR Kadarius Toney and #Jaguars QB Jake Luton both went on the Reserve/COVID-19 list today as a result of a positive test, per the wire. The first known player positives of the 2021 season.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 22, 2021
The NFL offseason is officially coming to an end this week as rookies report for the majority of teams, including the Jaguars, and veterans set to report next week, July 27. The NFL has continued to be proactive throughout the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and this year is no different.
Luton was selected in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by Jacksonville, earning a couple of starts in spot duty as the team dealt with injuries and poor play at the quarterback position last season.
Luton would play in and start three games for Jacksonville, completing 60 out of 110 of his passes for 624 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions.
Today, NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, the NFL sent a memo to all teams around the league stating that any regular-season cancellations this season due to a COVID outbreak among the team’s non-vaccinated players/staff will result in the club forfeiting the contest and will be deemed to have played 16 games.
Here’s more from today’s memo, which also says the team responsible for a canceled game because of an outbreak among unvaccinated players/staff will be responsible for financial losses and subject to potential discipline from the commissioner. Wow. pic.twitter.com/Q86a2WcG1K
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 22, 2021
For playoff seeding, the forfeit will result in a loss, and the opposing team will be credited a win. Players of both teams as a result of the cancelation and forfeiture will also not be entitled to their paragraph 5 salary for that week.
Simply put, the NFL is placing a strong emphasis and competitive advantage on players receiving the vaccination in an effort to slow or stop the outbreaks from occurring.