Rutgers football has four players in quarantine after positive COVID-19 tests

Two players have tested positive for COVID 19 and three more are in quarantine as the Rutgers football team resumes workouts for the 2020 season.

No one said it would be easy to turn the Rutgers football around when the school rehired Greg Schiano in December. Whatever plans the head coach had for an early jump-start to his program were derailed by the novel coronavirus. Now that players are allowed back on campus to resume workouts for the upcoming season, several of them have to wait out a quarantine due to positive test results.

There are two Rutgers players who have tested positive for Covid-19. One of them was flagged before Scarlet Knights players returned to school and was told to stay home. The second player tested positive after he returned to campus last week and is quarantined from the rest of the team.

Three players who were in contact with him have tested negative so far but are still in quarantine. They may be released to rejoin their teammates shortly.

Quarantining players is not only a Rutgers football issue. Programs such as Alabama, Auburn, and Florida State are facing similar issues. In the Big 12, Texas has 13 reported cases and Kansas State has shut down their football program for two weeks after they reported 14 cases.

Hardest hit by positive coronavirus tests are the two teams who played for last season’s national championship. Clemson has 23 football players and LSU has 30 with positive tests.

Schiano announced the quarantined players during a conference call with the media on Monday morning. According to Keith Sargeant of nj.com, he seemed to take the positive coronavirus tests in stride.

"“I think it’s very real to say you cannot reduce risk to zero,” coach Greg Schiano said. “How can you prepare for a season and eliminate as much risk as you can? You have to grow understanding of the big three: social distancing, a mask and washing our hands. We have tried to present as safe an opportunity for our players, coaches and our staff. That’s been my number one goal since this pandemic hit the United States.‘’More from Empire Writes BackCaesars New York Promo Code: Win $250 Bonus GUARANTEED on ANY Bet!Last Chance Caesars Promo: Claim $1,250 Bonus for ANY MLB Bet!Caesars New York Promo Code Gives TWO Chances to Win Betting on Your Yankees!PointsBet New York Promo: FIVE $100 Bonus Bets to Back the Yankees or Mets!Caesars NY Promo: $1,250 Bonus to Celebrate the Return of Judge!"

The coach was asked about postponing the college football season until Spring 2021. He dismissed the question, saying his focus was on preparation for the Knights season due to start this September.

Incoming freshman reported to campus on Monday. They were all tested and placed in a dorm separate from the returning players. Another example of how Rutgers is doing all they can to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among its players.

While its a shame that a few players have tested positive the vast majority have not. A return to regular activity will help put a focus on the future of Rutgers football.