NFL recommends players wear masks on sideline, expands bench area

The NFL continues to make adjustments regarding its COVID-19 protocols.

The league sent a memo to teams Tuesday reiterating the importance of players wearing masks on the sidelines, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

The NFL, which had already mandated the use of face shields in the locker room, also stated that masks must be worn during players' postgame interactions.

Additionally, the league will expand each team's bench area from one 20-yard line to the other. Players and coaches were previously required to stay between the 30-yard lines.

The NFL's latest COVID-19 protocol updates come after Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey and Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon tested positive for the virus following their games Sunday. Multiple other players were deemed as high risk due to close contact with the infected teammates.

The Packers placed two players on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, while the Ravens will have seven new players on the reserve group, including six who had game-day contact with Humphrey, reports Pelissero.

"Our medical experts have concluded that if masks were worn by players in both examples, the number of individuals that would have been designated as 'high-risk close contacts' would have been significantly reduced," the NFL said.