The Buffalo Bills have activated tight end Dawson Knox off the team’s Reserve/COVID-19 list. Knox tested positive for the virus on October 24th, sending the team’s tight end room into a tizzy.
Knox went to a position group meeting on Friday, October 23rd after taking his daily coronavirus test. When the results came back on October 24th, everyone who was in the room was added to the Reserve/COVID-19 list as a close contact. That meant that virtually every tight end on Buffalo’s roster was unavailable. Lee Smith, practice squad TE Nate Becker, and Tommy Sweeney (who was on the Physically Unable to Perform list at the time) were all considered close contacts.
Reggie Gilliam, listed on the team as an H-back, was presumably working in the running back room at the time and avoided the meeting in question. Tyler Kroft was at the hospital while his wife labored for 24 hours before giving birth to their daughter, Grace. The pair held down the fort on October 25th as the Bills beat the New York Jets.
Smith was able to return against the New England Patriots this past weekend and only missed one game. Becker came off the list earlier this week. Sweeney remains on the COVID list, but since he was on PUP it could just be a roster manipulation tactic to keep him off the active roster for the time being, freeing up a spot.
At the time of his diagnosis, Knox was working his way back from a calf injury. He also missed a game earlier in the year with a concussion. His second NFL season has been a major disappointment due to the injuries.