OT: NFL to offer H1N1 (Swine Flu) Roster Exemptions

[JSn]

Funny, I had been thinking about this (my conspiracy theory in-laws keep telling me we're being culled by the elite...) and pondering the fact that any contagious disease can sweep through a locker room quick. Also, the amount of contact each team makes with other teams certainly lends to the idea of the rampant spread through the NFL of the flu or H1N1 being credible.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell offers teams solution for swine flu influx - ESPN

To prepare a team in case its roster is hit by swine flu, commissioner Roger Goodell is going to offer emergency roster help.

Goodell, according to a source, notified teams Friday that if they have at least six proven cases of swine flu prior to a game, they will be allowed to bring at least six players off their practice squads to restore competitive balance. These would be done in the form of roster exemptions, the source said, and the team would be granted permission to add these players as late as four hours before kickoff.

The maximum number of exemptions allowed would be eight, the source said, but they would only be granted if the count of swine flu victims reach six.

On Friday, Texans tight end Anthony Hill was hospitalized with swine flu symptoms. He is the only player in the league who might miss this weekend's games because of swine flu.

The emergency plan is available immediately.

This could get sketchy though, as labs become over-run with tests and are basically saying H1N1 is the more common flu-type this season, so just assume that's what it is.

Will some teams attempt some roster trickery within this new "rule"?

Also, notice even on the Ravens report there is "illness."

EDIT: Just tacking on some info about the Texans response to the illness turning up on the team.

http://www.blitzcorner.com/NFL/Texans-Rookie-Anthony-Hill-Hospitalized-With-Swine-Flu

At first, the Texans believed that rookie Tight End Anthony Hill had pneumonia but on Friday afternoon confirmed the flu diagnosis.

Coach Gary Kubiak says that they do not believe any of the other players have the disease, though he did acknowledge that a number of players were sick on Thursday but were back Friday. The team is taking precautions against the spread of the disease. Kubiak says that there is no panic about the situation within the organization, and believes that Hill is recovering may be released from the hospital this afternoon.

 

[Tunescribe]

Funny, I had been thinking about this (my conspiracy theory in-laws keep telling me we're being culled by the elite...) and pondering the fact that any contagious disease can sweep through a locker room quick. Also, the amount of contact each team makes with other teams certainly lends to the idea of the rampant spread through the NFL of the flu or H1N1 being credible.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell offers teams solution for swine flu influx - ESPN



This could get sketchy though, as labs become over-run with tests and are basically saying H1N1 is the more common flu-type this season, so just assume that's what it is.

Will some teams attempt some roster trickery within this new "rule"?

I'd be more worried about Polian turning up the heat in his stadium if any incoming team reports flu cases.

 

[NJPatsfan26]

Re: OT: NFL to offer Swine Flu Exemptions

Funny, I had been thinking about this (my conspiracy theory in-laws keep telling me we're being culled by the elite...) and pondering the fact that any contagious disease can sweep through a locker room quick. Also, the amount of contact each team makes with other teams certainly lends to the idea of the rampant spread through the NFL of the flu or H1N1 being credible.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell offers teams solution for swine flu influx - ESPN



This could get sketchy though, as labs become over-run with tests and are basically saying H1N1 is the more common flu-type this season, so just assume that's what it is.

Will some teams attempt some roster trickery within this new "rule"?

Good point JSn. Wonder if the great commish thought of this and what punishment would be available if they violate it.

 

[Patspsycho]

Re: OT: NFL to offer Swine Flu Exemptions

Breaking news: Galloway out with swine flu! Nunn promoted from PS!

 

[JSn]

Re: OT: NFL to offer Swine Flu Exemptions

Breaking news: Galloway out with swine flu! Nunn promoted from PS!

Haha. The question I can't find the answer to is if the players have to clear waivers to go back to the practice squad when the player returns from Pukesborough.

 

[Calciumee]

Re: OT: NFL to offer Swine Flu Exemptions

Haha. The question I can't find the answer to is if the players have to clear waivers to go back to the practice squad when the player returns from Pukesborough.

I wondered the same thing. I would have thought they would be allowed to go straight back to PS

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: OT: NFL to offer Swine Flu Exemptions

I wondered the same thing. I would have thought they would be allowed to go straight back to PS

I would presume so, or otherwise a team might have to choose between screwed one way, and screwed another.

 

[spacecrime]

Re: OT: NFL to offer Swine Flu Exemptions

Haha. The question I can't find the answer to is if the players have to clear waivers to go back to the practice squad when the player returns from Pukesborough.

What difference does it make? Even if the players clear waivers and go onto the practice squad, they can still be picked up by another team.

 

[Frezo]

Re: OT: NFL to offer Swine Flu Exemptions

What difference does it make? Even if the players clear waivers and go onto the practice squad, they can still be picked up by another team.

I believe the difference would be that a player picked from a team's practice squad has to be signed to your active roster. A player picked off waivers can be signed to a PS.

 

[patchick]

This is a smart health move -- anything that discourages teams from keeping contagious guys in the locker room makes sense. IMO it's not very subject to abuse given the 6-player minimum.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: OT: NFL to offer Swine Flu Exemptions

I believe the difference would be that a player picked from a team's practice squad has to be signed to your active roster. A player picked off waivers can be signed to a PS.

Not quite. A player signed off waivers MUST be added to the 53. He has to clear waivers to be signed to a PS.

The difference is that a player signed off another team's PS must stay on the 53 for a minimum of three weeks.