Bills send rookies home after 5 positive COVID-19 tests

The Buffalo Bills sent their rookie players home Thursday after five positive COVID-19 tests this week, the team told ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques in a statement.

One veteran and one rookie reportedly tested positive Thursday. In response, Buffalo is conducting the day's meetings virtually.

The rookie tested positive after testing negative three times, a source told Louis-Jacques.

"As we were informed by medical experts as training camp opened, we expected to have positive tests for COVID," the team said. "With five since the beginning of the testing period last Tuesday, we decided to take a disciplined, proactive, and preventative approach to hopefully eliminate additional cases within our team."

Since Monday, Buffalo has sent cornerback Ike Brown, defensive tackle Vincent Taylor, and wide receiver Duke Williams to the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Players sent to the new reserve list have either tested positive or were in close proximity to an infected person. Teams aren't required to state why a player is placed on the list.