Friday marks a pivotal point in the leadup to Super Bowl LV in Tampa. Any player who tests positive for COVID-19 from this point on will be ineligible for the big game.
Bucs and Chiefs enter critical phase of COVID precautions. Any player or coach with a positive test beginning today will be ruled out for the Super Bowl. Same protocols as regular season. Game on without key players if positive
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 29, 2021
Both teams will surely be taking every precaution necessary to avoid that. Tampa Bay was already forced to play the first round of the playoffs without standout linebacker Devin White and the team definitely doesn't want to be without another difference-maker against the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Earlier this season the Bucs faced the Lions, who granted weren't very good this season, but Detroit was missing most of its coaching staff due to COVID-19 protocol breach, which may have contributed to the 47-7 blowout we saw.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Super Bowl rules will be the same as those of the regular season, so even if a key player tests positive and is ineligible, the game will continue.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers kick off from Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 7 for Super Bowl LV.
