Packers Wideout Deemed COVID Close Contact, Begged NFL To Play

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was down a couple of his favorite targets on Thursday night, though not for lack of effort. Allen Lazard, who has 15 catches and two touchdowns on the season, did everything in his power to sidestep the NFL's overboard COVID-19 policies and take the field with his Green Bay teammates.

Because he's unvaccinated and was deemed a close contact of fellow receiver Davante Adams, who tested positive for COVID, Lazard was given the restraining order treatment by the league and told to stay away.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Lazard and his agent presented a case to the league this week that Lazard should've been eligible for the Thursday night game with Arizona.

"They argued that Lazard was not a close contact to Davante Adams, thus no chance of transmission."

Lazard and his agent also argued that Lazard's league-required five-day quarantine should've begun on Saturday instead of Sunday, clearing him to play Thursday as long as he tested negative for five straight days, which he did.

Nevertheless, the NFL denied the argument and COVID-less Lazard was sidelined for the Packers' 24-21 win over previously unbeaten Arizona. Joining Lazard and Adams as inactive receivers for the Pack was Marquez Valdes-Scantling, meaning Green Bay won even though all of their top three pass catchers were out.

Along with Green Bay's W, Lazard should be awarded an A for effort.

 

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