Two Dolphins players land on COVID list after positive tests
DAVIE, FLORIDA - AUGUST 18: Austin Jackson #73 of the Miami Dolphins in action during training camp at Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southern University on August 18, 2020 in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Miami Dolphins may be without their starting left tackle in the 2021 season opener.
As the team Roster Moves | We have placed tackle Austin Jackson and tight end Adam Shaheen on the reserve/COVID-19 list. We have also elevated cornerback Jamal Perry as a COVID-19 replacement.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 6, 2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced Monday, tackle Austin Jackson and tight end Adam Shaheen have been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, with just six days to go before they head to Foxborough for a Week 1 matchup with the Patriots. Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, a league memo indicated that both Jackson and Shaheen returned positive tests.
Shaheen won’t be available for the Dolphins, due to being unvaccinated. Shaheen recently Adam Shaheen, who is not vaccinated for COVID, says NFL is “not going to strongarm me” into being vaxxed. Says he’s going to comply with protocols so as to not be fined.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 7, 2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">said the NFL is “not going to strongarm me” into getting vaccinated, but also that he planned to “comply with protocols,” via Outkick’s Armando Salguero. Per league rules, unvaccinated players who test positive need to be away from their teams for a minimum of 10 days.
If Jackson is vaccinated, he can rejoin the Dolphins once he returns two negative COVID tests separated by a 24-hour span. So, until otherwise reported, Jackson has a chance to be back in the Dolphins’ lineup Sunday afternoon. A first-round pick in the 2020 draft, Jackson is coming off a rookie season in which he played 13 games at left tackle, starting 12.
The Dolphins and Patriots square off at Gillette Stadium on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET to kick off the 2021 regular season.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at [email protected].
Matt, a North Andover, Massachusetts native, has been with The Sports Hub since 2010. Growing up the son of Boston University All-American and Melrose High School hall-of-fame hockey player Steve Dolloff, sports was always a part of his life. After attending Northeastern University, Matt focused his love of sports on writing, extensively writing about all four major Boston teams. He also is a co-host of the Sports Hub Underground podcast and is a regular on-air contributor on the Sports Hub. Matt writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.
