NFL, NFLPA report 56 new positive COVID-19 tests from Nov. 1-7

Coronavirus cases are trending in the wrong direction for the NFL. 

The NFL and NFL Players Association confirmed in a joint statement that there were 15 new positive COVID-19 tests among players and 41 new positives among other personnel from Nov. 1-7. As Kevin Seifert wrote for ESPN, that's more than twice the total of positive results for any other league testing period.

Following an outbreak within the Tennessee Titans that caused the rescheduling of multiple games and threatened the integrity of the season, the NFL amended health and safety protocols and mandated that anyone deemed a "high-risk close contact" of an infected individual must isolate for a minimum of five days and return negative test results every day until he's welcomed back to club facilities. Personnel who report symptoms typical of COVID-19 infections must also isolate even if they test negative for the virus. 

Last week, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that the NFL could expand to 16 teams for the postseason tournament if games are canceled and cannot be made up before the completion of Week 17. Per Ralph Vacchiano of SNY and others, league owners approved of that plan on Tuesday afternoon. 

The NFL is reportedly against the idea of a "Week 18" for the regular season that would be used only to play games canceled between Week 10 and Jan. 3.