Washington defensive end Montez Sweat was expected to practice Wednesday for the first time in a month since breaking his jaw against the Denver Broncos on Halloween, but now faces a second hurdle with a positive test for COVID-19.
The team placed Sweat on the COVID-19 reserve list Wednesday — meaning he will have to miss at least 10 days because the 25-year-old is unvaccinated. The NFL has different procedures for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. A vaccinated player who tests positive for the virus can return if they have two negative tests within 24 hours apart and receive medical clearance.
The NFL Network reported that Sweat indeed tested positive for the virus.
Sweat created a stir in the offseason when he admitted he was “not a fan” of the team’s push to get players vaccinated.
“I probably won’t get vaccinated until I get more facts and that stuff,” Sweat said. “I’m not a fan of it at all. … I haven’t caught COVID yet so I don’t see me treating COVID until I actually get COVID.”
Washington dealt with a low vaccination rate during training camp — leading to criticism from coach Ron Rivera. Rivera openly advocated for players to get vaccinated and the team subsequently saw a sizable uptick in players who got the shot in time for the start of the regular season.
Still, Sweat’s addition to the list comes at a bad time for Washington, which is hoping to extend a four-game winning streak that has put it back in the post-season playoff chase. Rivera said he was hopeful Sweat would practice this week after missing the last four games with a fractured jaw. The team is already without star pass rusher Chase Young, who tore his ACL in October. The team has started James Smith-Williams and Casey Toohill in their place.
Sweat has four sacks this season. The 2019 first-round draft choice out of Mississippi State led the team in that category last season with nine.
