Tyrann Mathieu placed on Reserve/COVID-19 list after positive test

Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu has been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, according to the NFL’s official transaction report. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted that the safety tested positive.

Let’s review the rules on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, per NFL.com:

Vaccinated players or staff who test positive and are asymptomatic can return to duty after two negative tests 24 hours apart. For non-vaccinated persons who test positive, the 2020 protocols remain in place, requiring a 10-day isolation.

10-day isolation won’t be necessary, as Mathieu is fully vaccinated, according to friend-of-the-site Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star.

Mathieu should reasonably be back with the club by the time it starts its typical routine for Cleveland Browns preparation on Monday, so long as he can pass the two negative COVID tests.

Mathieu’s importance to the defense can’t be understated — he has played in 31 regular-season games over his two years as a Chiefs safety, only missing the team’s Week 17 game in 2020 when Andy Reid chose to rest starters ahead of the playoffs.

Mathieu’s placement on the list opened up a roster spot for wide receiver Marcus Kemp, which solved that short-lived mystery.