49ers players permitted to come off reserve/COVID-19 list

The saga involving San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne returning a positive COVID-19 test and three other players going on the reserve/COVID-19 list as "high-risk close contacts" took a latest turn on Friday.

Per Nick Shook of NFL.com, Bourne tested negative for the coronavirus for the second straight day and, thus, was allowed to exit the list along with fellow wideouts Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel and left tackle Trent Williams. All four were unable to play in Thursday's prime-time loss to the Green Bay Packers. 

So-called "false positives" have impacted the NFL multiple times since the summer months. Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list because he had contact with an infected person on Monday, returned an inconsistent test in early August. Later that month, 77 collected coronavirus tests across 11 teams produced inaccurate results. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Thursday that the NFL was investigating the 49ers to learn if Bourne properly wore face coverings at the team's facility as mandated per the league and NFL Players Association. The NFL could fine San Francisco if it's proven Bourne violated health and safety protocols regardless of his recent negative tests.