Wide receiver Tyreek Hill was among the three starters — and seven overall — who were added to the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday.
All seven players tested positive for COVID-19, sources told ESPN’s Field Yates.
Linebacker Nick Bolton and offensive tackle Lucas Niang are the other starters to test positive, sources told ESPN. Cornerback Rashad Fenton, tight end Blake Bell, guard Kyle Long and cornerback Armani Watts also were added to the reserve/COVID-19 list as positive tests, sources told ESPN.
The news comes on the heels of starting tight end Travis Kelce, kicker Harrison Butker and cornerback Charvarius Ward being placed on the list Monday. In all, 13 Kansas City players are on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
If players are vaccinated, like Kelce, they have a chance to return in time for the Chiefs’ game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
Hill ranks second in the NFL with 102 receptions for 1,178 yards (fourth) and 9 touchdowns this season. The two have combined for 50% of the Chiefs’ receptions, 54% of the receiving yards and 53% of their receiving touchdowns this season.
With Kelce and Bell being added to the list, that leaves rookie Noah Gray as the only tight end on the active roster. Gray has four catches for 18 yards and a TD.
Bolton has started 11 games this season and leads the team with 102 tackles. Niang has started eight of the 11 games in which he has seen action at right tackle.
Long was on the physically-unable-to-perform list most of the season because of a knee injury suffered in offseason workouts. He was recently activated but has yet to play in a game.
Fenton has played mostly as the Chiefs’ third cornerback, starting seven games. Watts, meanwhile, has played this season mainly on special teams.
Kansas City placed defensive tackle Chris Jones, linebacker Willie Gay and wide receiver Josh Gordon on the COVID-19 list last week, and all three players missed the game against the Chargers.
Source: www.espn.com