The San Francisco 49ers have announced that defensive linemen D.J. Jones and Jordan Willis have been added to the reserve/COVID-19 list, increasing the team's total number of players on the list to nine.
The team has also waived linebacker Kiko Alonso due to a failed physical. He was part of the trade that sent linebacker Kwon Alexander to the New Orleans Saints.
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead was added to the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday, November 16. Two days later, rookie Javon Kinlaw was added to the list. Center Hroniss Grasu and linebacker Joe Walker were added on that Thursday. Then wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, tight end Daniel Helm, and tackle Trent Williams were added on Friday.
Fourteen total 49ers players have landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list at least once since July.
The reserve/COVID-19 list has been created for a player who tests positive for COVID-19 or has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person or persons. If a player falls into either of these categories, his club is required to immediately place the player on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Clubs are not permitted to comment on a player's medical status other than referring to the roster status and may not disclose whether the player is in quarantine or is positive for COVID-19.
Below is a breakdown of the 49ers players who have landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list this year. Italicized names represent players who are currently on the list.
- WR Richie James, Jul 27, removed Aug 4
- RB Jeff Wilson Jr., Jul 30, removed Aug 4
- LB Fred Warner, Aug 31, removed Sep 9
- WR Kendrick Bourne, Nov 4, removed Nov 6
- T Trent Williams, Nov 4, removed Nov 6
- WR Brandon Aiyuk, Nov 4, removed Nov 6
- WR Deebo Samuel, Nov 4, removed Nov 6
- WR Kendrick Bourne, Nov 9, removed Nov 13
- DL Arik Armstead, Nov 16
- DL Javon Kinlaw, Nov 18
- C Hroniss Grasu, Nov 19
- LB Joe Walker, Nov 19
- WR Brandon Aiyuk, Nov 20
- TE Daniel Helm, Nov 20
- T Trent Williams, Nov 20
- DT D.J. Jones, Nov 23
- DE Jordan Willis, Nov 23
49ers players and staff have not been able to travel during their bye week because of daily COVID-19 testing requirements.
"It's totally different this year, just because you've got to get tested every day," head coach Kyle Shanahan said last week. "So, this is the first year where getting on a plane or going somewhere is really not an option. Everyone's got to be up at the facility sometime before 11:00 A.M. so we can get our testing in and have it back for the next day."
