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National Sports Headlines: 10/31/20

Sports

October 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest sports news from The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs coach Andy Reid knows one of the intriguing subplots Sunday when Kansas City takes on the New York Jets will be running back Le’Veon Bell’s first shot at his former team. The two-time All-Pro joined the Chiefs after a rather acrimonious split with the Jets a couple weeks ago. Bell had a get-your-feet wet game against the Denver Broncos last weekend. He could have a much bigger role when the Super Bowl champs face the winless Jets at Arrowhead Stadium.

UNDATED (AP) — The NFL says the Chargers and Broncos game Sunday is not in jeopardy after players from both teams tested positive for COVID-19. The Chargers are likely to be down to their third string players at right guard and right tackle because of injuries and because two linemen were placed on the COVID-19/reserve list. They scrapped practice after right guard Graham Glasgow tested positive. The Broncos were already in the league’s intensive coronavirus protocols, which began when running backs coach Curtis Modkins contracted the virus two weeks ago. Modkins returned to work Monday.

Elsewhere:

The Packers will face the Vikings on Sunday without leading rusher Aaron Jones, who will miss a second straight game with a calf injury. That leaves Jamaal Williams and A.J. Dillon as Green Bay’s top two running backs versus Minnesota.

The NFL is “strongly encouraging” that players on the sidelines who are not participating in a game or about to go on the field wear protective masks. In a memo obtained by The Associated Press on Friday, the league’s management council also suggested the 32 teams enhance physical distancing on the sidelines while the NFL considers expanding the bench area. The league also is offering an additional testing option for bus drivers retained by teams in the away city, prior to the team’s arrival.

UNDATED (AP) — College football’s bowl schedule is finally set and will begin Dec. 19, the day most of the major college football conferences are set to play their championship games. The 37-game bowl schedule will now include several mainstays like the Holiday Bowl in San Diego and the Hawaii Bowl because of issues related to the pandemic. But there will still be opportunities for 72 teams to go bowling in the 36 games that lead up to the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 11 in Miami Gardens, Florida.