NFL investigating multiple positive COVID-19 tests from same lab

The NFL is investigating a number of positive COVID-19 tests from its teams using a single laboratory in New Jersey, the league announced Sunday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

​"Saturday's daily COVID testing returned several positives tests from each of the clubs serviced by the same laboratory in New Jersey," the NFL said in a statement. "We are working with our testing partner, BioReference, to investigate these results, while the clubs work to confirm or rule out the positive tests.

"Clubs are taking immediate precautionary measures as outlined in the NFL-NFLPA's health and safety protocols to include contact tracing, isolation of individuals, and temporarily adjusting the schedule, where appropriate. The other laboratories used for NFL testing have not had similar results."

The Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, and Green Bay Packers are some of the known teams affected with presumptive positive tests by Saturday's irregular COVID-19 results.

The Browns and Bears postponed their morning practices to Sunday afternoon after learning their test results were all false positives.

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane said the team will be without some players at practice Sunday, according to Sal Capaccio of WGR 550. Quarterback Josh Allen was among those who recorded a false positive COVID-19 result Sunday, sources told Schefter.

Beane considers the setback "more of a lab issue," according to Kim Jones of NFL Network.

The New England Patriots and New York Giants were also affected, sources told ESPN's Kevin Seifert. However, the Patriots reportedly don't consider the situation as disruptive enough to alter its practice schedule, while the Giants cases don't include players or coaches.

The NFL recently extended its daily testing period through Sept. 5. The league has conducted more than 100,000 tests for the coronavirus since training camps began in late July, and just 1% returned positive, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Only three players are currently on the league's reserve/COVID-19 list - created for those who test positive or need to be quarantined after having contact with someone who tests positive.

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list soon after training camp. The Lions later confirmed it was a false positive and Stafford never contracted the coronavirus.