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Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Justin Pugh was put on the NFL’s Reserve/COVID-19 list for a second time on Wednesday.
On Thursday, he took to Twitter to sound off on the league’s testing policy.
It is the second time that Pugh is on the list. He was put on it on July 29 as a high-risk close contact before coming off it on Aug. 2.
This time, he was put on it for testing positive.
“Hey @NFL we need daily testing for vaccinated and non vaccinated players,” Pugh tweeted Thursday. “I was vaccinated and still got covid. As of now vaccinated players test every 14 days. That’s not enough! Who knows how long I walked around the building with it or whoever I got it from! Fix this ASAP”
Hey @NFL we need daily testing for vaccinated and non vaccinated players. I was vaccinated and still got covid. As of now vaccinated players test every 14 days. That’s not enough! Who knows how long I walked around the building with it or whoever I got it from! Fix this ASAP
— Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh) August 19, 2021
He wasn’t done.
Pugh also tweeted: “At the end of the day all of our goals are to play the regular season and playoffs without issue. That’s what pays owners and players. Let’s hope the preseason gives us kick in the ass we need to get our covid protocols in place before these games matter!”
At the end of the day all of our goals are to play the regular season and playoffs without issue. That’s what pays owners and players. Let’s hope the preseason gives us kick in the ass we need to get our covid protocols in place before these games matter! https://t.co/dqjQzZjE43
— Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh) August 19, 2021
And: “I don’t care where you stand on the vaccination fence. We had no one vaccinated last year and made the season happen. I think more testing is crucial because it allows us to catch and remove positive cases ASAP.
@nfl is in a unique situation. I’d Rather OVER test then UNDER test”
I don’t care where you stand on the vaccination fence. We had no one vaccinated last year and made the season happen. I think more testing is crucial because it allows us to catch and remove positive cases ASAP. @nfl is in a unique situation. I’d Rather OVER test then UNDER test
— Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh) August 19, 2021
The Cardinals’ Jordan Phillips replied to Pugh’s tweet with some information of his own, revealing that he is fully vaccinated and also tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.
Also fully vaccinated and tested positive yesterday 🤷🏾♂️
— Jordan Phillips (@bigj9797) August 19, 2021
Pugh isn’t the first to have concerns about the NFL’s testing policy for COVID-19.
The NFL Players Association called for more testing earlier this month.
USA TODAY Sports’ Mike Jones reported:
“Citing the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19, the NFL Players Association plans on recommending to the NFL that testing of players and staff members increase in frequency. In a memo issued to players … union officials said they will propose that vaccinated players and staff members receive COVID-19 testing each day they enter team facilities. The proposal also would reduce the amount of team staffers allowed in the locker room. The union also raised the possibility of imposing mask requirements for players and staff members regardless of vaccination status. NFL and NFLPA protocols currently require vaccinated players and staff members to receive testing once every 14 days, while unvaccinated players must receive daily testing. Vaccinated individuals wouldn’t have to wait to receive their results before entering the building, the union said. And testing on off days and during bye weeks would not be required.”
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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