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The COVID pandemic shows no signs of slowing down and is continuing to play havoc with the NFL schedule even on its final weekend of the regular season. Over the past few weeks, players that have missed games in previous weeks have started to return, only for teams to see other players become ineligible due to COVID.
This week brought news of many players being potentially ruled out of Week 18 due to COVID. Teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and the Cincinnati Bengals had multiple cases.
We look at some of the top performers who could be out of Week 18 due to COVID.
Players on defense out for Week 18 due to COVID
#1 - Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas Cowboys
Micah Parsons has been a sensation this season. He has been consistently mentioned not just as a potential Defensive Rookie of the Year but as the Defensive Player of the Year too.
With Trey Hendrickson potentially ruled out this week as well, Micah Parsons would have hoped for a couple of sacks that would have taken him above Hendrickson, with Parsons currently sitting on 13 and Hendrickson on 14.
However, it does not look likely that he will suit up for Week 18 after he was put on the COVID list. If it stays that way, Micah Parsons will still finish with an astonishing 84 tackles. Since the Dallas Cowboys have already made the playoffs, they will be hoping that Parsons recovers in time to suit up for the postseason.
#2 - Jimmie Ward, S, San Francisco 49ers
While the Dallas Cowboys do not have a playoff place riding on this week's game, for the San Francisco 49ers, a win is all that counts. With that in mind, losing Jimmie Ward to COVID is a brutal blow.
If Jimmie Ward is not fit in time for the Week 18 clash against the Los Angeles Rams, they will not only miss his presence in terms of tackles, which presently stand at 71 combined; they will also miss the performance he gave when they faced the Rams last time. He had two interceptions and one return for a touchdown. Missing him is a huge blow to the San Francisco 49ers, but they will be hoping to accomplish the job without him and get the victory that takes them to the playoffs. Should they do so, they will expect to have Ward back from COVID by then.
Players on offense out for Week 18 due to COVID
#1 - Jason Kelce, C, Philadelphia Eagles
Jason Kelce was one of the players, among many, who caught COVID at the Philadelphia Eagles camp. Other players such as Dallas Goedert have also tested positive for COVID.
Jason Kelce has been an everpresent for the Philadelphia Eagles and has won the Super Bowl with them. Even though he is often overshadowed by his brother Travis, he is a superstar in his own right. To put his importance to the Philadelphia Eagles in perspective, he has started 121 consecutive games for them. This could be in jeopardy if he does not recover in time for Week 18.
Since the Philadelphia Eagles have already qualified, there is not much riding on the game and there is a chance anyhow that starters could have been rested. Even if Kelce makes it in time for eligibility for Week 18, they may not prefer to risk him given that he has just recovered from COVID.
#2 - Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have already locked up the AFC North after their win against the Kansas City Chiefs, hence they do not have much riding on Week 18 in terms of securing a place in the playoffs.
That said, they would have liked to have their full contingent of players available but there seems to be quite a COVID outbreak in their ranks. We have already mentioned Trey Hendrickson before, but on offense Joe Mixon will be missed. He has rushed for 1,205 yards this season and scored 13 touchdowns.
However, just as with other teams here that have reached the playoffs, the Bengals will be hoping that the COVID symptoms are not too severe and the players can be back in time for the playoffs.
#3 - D'Ernest Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns
In a season when their offense has misfired badly in terms of Baker Mayfield and the passing game, the running backs have been a source of comfort for Cleveland Browns fans.
Unlike others who are still in the hunt for the playoffs, the Browns will end their season after Week 18. That might have been a chance for D'Ernest Johnson to take the spotlight from the more recognizable Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb, but he now finds himself with his season potentially curtailed and unable to add to his numbers. While he only has 411 yards, they have come in 75 attempts for an average of 5.5 yards per attempt. He has scored two touchdowns and will be unable to add to them if COVID keeps him out.
