Niners' Bourne, Others Ruled Out Despite False Positive

In the days of COVID-19, it takes only one positive test to keep a player out of the game, even if that test turns out to be a false positive.

Such is the case for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who tested negative for the virus Thursday -- one day after testing positive and prompting the Niners to shut down their practice facility.

Still, Bourne will not play in Thursday Night's game against the Green Bay Packers, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports.

That's not all. Bourne lives with three others who also tested negative, but they aren't allowed to play either. Instead, fellow receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, and offensive tackle Trent Williams all must join Bourne on the COVID-19 list.

Why? Well, as ESPN's Adam Schefter points out, there have been 104 instances of positive COVID-19 tests that turned negative the following day -- but of those, 101 returned positive the day after that.

Those type of results have caused some to question the validity and accuracy of the tests. Of course, very few members of today's sports media seem willing to do that type of deep-dive reporting and demand answers from the those they cover. It might upset their prized sources and temper the narrative.

Either way, the defending NFC champs will have a lot to overcome -- perhaps unfairly so -- in a game against a Packers team that will be especially determined after Sunday's surprising loss to the Minnesota Vikings.