Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen tested positive for the coronavirus, he told Fox Sports. A Rams spokesperson confirmed the diagnosis Wednesday, adding that Allen felt slight symptoms but now is feeling much better.
The 24-year-old is the first active player in the NFL to publicly acknowledge that he tested positive for the virus.
Allen, who is preparing for his third season in the league, was spending his offseason at the Rams’ training facility to undergo rehabilitation treatment on a knee injury when he began to feel symptoms three weeks ago.
The Rams’ training facility was closed for two weeks and cleaned thoroughly, according to a Rams spokesperson. Players who must undergo rehabilitation returned this week.
Allen told Fox Sports that he lost his sense of smell and taste and had a sore throat, fatigue and headaches. He is expected to be cleared of the virus this week.
Rams coach Sean McVay told Fox Sports that he has spoken with Allen, adding that Allen is “feeling good, he’s healthy and he’s on the road to recovery.”
McVay said the team’s facility was closed as soon as Allen notified the Rams that he’d tested positive for the virus in an effort to ensure no one else was potentially exposed.
A fourth-round pick from Michigan State in 2018, Allen played a limited role on offense as a rookie. Last season, he took over as the starting center and started nine games before he suffered a season-ending knee injury. He has appeared in 22 games in his two seasons.
Although no active NFL players previously said they tested positive, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton and one unidentified member of the Los Angeles Chargers organization tested positive, and two others on the Chargers have shown symptoms.
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