After not being able to pass protocols in time to play against the Falcons, Lions quarterback Jared Goff has been cleared from the COVID-19/reserve list.
We’ll never know if Jared Goff could have helped engineer a win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, since he failed to clear virus protocols in time to play. But on Monday, the Detroit Lions’ starting quarterback was cleared from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Tim Boyle made his second start of the season in place of Goff (and his second NFL start) against Atlanta, and acquitted himself solidly despite a late interception that sealed the loss (24-for-34 for 187 yards, one touchdown and that interception; 81.4 passer rating, zero sacks taken). But Goff was one of the top-rated passers in the NFL over the previous four weeks, and he was certainly missed in a game the Lions had a good chance to win.
Jared Goff on track to return in Week 17 vs. Seahawks
Assuming no further symptoms, positive tests, etc., Goff is on track to return for Sunday’s Week 17 game against the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks are reeling at 5-10, off a loss Sunday to the Chicago Bears and with five losses in their last seven games. A trip to play them now doesn’t seem daunting, as they possibly play out the last games of the Pete Carroll-Russell Wilson era.
Goff is of course plenty familiar with the Seahawks from his years as the Los Angeles Rams quarterback. He is 5-4 against Seattle in his career during the regular season, and he also started and won a Wild Card Round game in Seattle last season as he played through an injury.
But Goff may wind up without one of the top weapons from during his recent run of good play. Wide receiver Josh Reynolds tested positive for COVID on Monday, and even if he’s vaccinated (and thus subject to those protocols) he’s now up against it to be cleared to play Sunday.