League-Wide Case Numbers Drop Slightly, but Latest Testing Figures Still Cause for Concern

Cale Berger |

Updated: Dec 8, 2020

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 02: A detail view of the NFL crest and logo is seen in game action during the Super Bowl LIV game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers on February 2, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire)

The NFL and NFLPA have released their latest COVID-19 testing data, and while numbers have dropped slightly league-wide from last week, the count of new cases is still high.

The league had 45 new positive tests for coronavirus from the most recent testing period spanning from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5. Of those new positives, 18 were among players and the remaining 27 from staff.

While slight decline from the 156 new confirmed cases from the two weeks prior, this week’s results still illustrate a concerning trend across the league and mimic the rising digits around the country.

In total, 41,669 tests were administered to 7,012 players and staff members during the last testing period.

Since Aug. 1, the NFL has given approximately 757,100 tests in totality, and has identified 470 positive cases.

The Pittsburgh Steelers still have two players currently on the Reserve/COVID-19 list in running back James Conner and center Maurkice Pouncey. Neither played in the team’s loss to Washington on Monday night.