COVID-19 has been affecting NFL superstars for the past two seasons. But over the last few weeks, in particular, COVID-19 has been on an unrelentingly fast pace.

Monday was no exception, as there was a total of 51 NFL players placed on the COVID-19/reserve list.

The timing of the Omicron variant couldn't be any worse for the NFL. There are just three weeks left before the playoffs begin.

Teams need to be healthier now more than ever, but the virus doesn't care. These are the five biggest NFL superstars placed on the COVID list Monday.

Also Read: Which are the seven NFL teams under enhanced protocol for COVID-19?

Five more NFL superstars who join the COVID-19 list

# 1 - Travis Kelce

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce

Out of all the names to go on the COVID-19 list Monday, Travis Kelce was the biggest. Amongst NFL superstars, Kelce is near the top for his yearly consistency.

Kelce is 32-years-old this season, and talk of him being in physical decline has been happening. Despite the doubters, Kelce is once again the NFL's most reliable and impressive tight end.

Patrick Mahomes continues to rely on Kelce to be one of his fellow NFL superstars. Kelce topped 1,000 yards receiving with three games left and has contributed seven touchdowns this season.

Kelce had his best game of the season in Week 15 before testing positive for COVID. He had two touchdowns on ten catches for a staggering 191 yards.

The Kansas City Chiefs will hope Kelce returns quickly as they're in the race for the AFC's top seed.

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# 2 - Jared Goff

Joining Kelce as one of the NFL superstars on the COVID list is Jared Goff. Goff, like Kelce, is coming off his best game of the season in Week 15.

The Detroit Lions quarterback did everything right in their win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Goff has been an average quarterback this season. But he's on one of the least talented offenses in the league.

That said, he's done all he can to maximize a wide receiving core that's led by the relatively unknown Aman-Ra St. Brown.

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Goff has fallen from being one of the top NFL superstars in the league. But he's still a former number one overall pick.

His future with the Lions after this season is unclear, with the team likely to take a quarterback atop the draft.

Goff has done just enough this season to likely receive a job next year, even as a backup. Goff is at his best in a system with weapons and a good offensive line in place.

NFL superstars placed on COVID-19 list Monday

# 3 - Joey Bosa

Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa

Joey Bosa is another NFL superstar placed on the COVID-19 list. Bosa has notched a sack in six of the past seven weeks.

The pass rushing specialist is amongst the NFL superstars' ranks due to his difference-making ability in pass and run defense.

Bosa and the Los Angeles Chargers have gotten hot at the right time in recent weeks. The Chargers are 8-6 and in a good position to make the playoffs if they keep winning.

Unfortunately for the Chargers, they'll have to play the Houston Texans in Week 16 without Bosa. Bosa is unvaccinated, and as a result, won't be able to return in time.

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Even with Bosa, the Chargers rank just 19th in sacks this season. Bosa has 9.5 sacks but doesn't get much help from other players on the defensive line.

The Chargers will especially miss Bosa's ability to force fumbles.

Bosa has had a jaw-dropping six forced fumbles this year, and the Chargers have the third most forced fumbles in the NFL. Turnovers are the biggest difference-maker in football, and Bosa provides that for the Chargers.

The Chargers should get their star pass rusher back in Week 17 against the Denver Broncos.

# 4 - Nate Hobbs

Amongst NFL superstars, Nate Hobbs might be relatively unknown. But Las Vegas Raiders fans know what Hobbs brings to the table at cornerback.

Hobbs is just in his rookie season, but he's already begun establishing himself as one of the best nickel cornerbacks in the NFL.

Hobbs isn't the height of most NFL superstars at 6' 0". He plays scrappy football and isn't afraid to get physical at the line of scrimmage.

He weighs just 190 pounds but uses his light frame well and is incredibly fast.

Pro Football Focus thinks highly of the 22-year-old rookie as well. They've given him a grade of 78.6 overall this season and a grade of 76.6 in coverage.

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The Raiders secondary did a suitable job in Hobbs' absence Monday against the Cleveland Browns. The Raiders defense has been up and down this season, but Hobbs is one guy the Raiders can plan to build around for years to come.

If Hobbs continues his positive trajectory, he'll be recognized as one of the top NFL superstars at cornerback sooner rather than later.

# 5 - Jaylon Johnson

Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson celebrates with his teammates

On the topic of future NFL superstars at cornerback. Jaylon Johnson was placed on the COVID-19 list Monday. The Chicago Bears haven't had many reasons to be optimistic about their team this year.

But one of the bright spots has been the promising weekly play from Johnson.

Johnson is just in his sophomore season, but he's made a massive leap forward. Johnson still gets beaten in coverage at times.

But he's highly athletic and was one of the NFL's best cornerbacks in the first half of the season.

Some of his play has fallen off, but Johnson is an ascending member of the NFL superstars club. Johnson will likely benefit going forward with a new head coach, which is likely to happen after this season.

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Johnson is just one of the five NFL superstars placed on the COVID-19 list Monday. With the final three weeks mattering more than anything, all five of these players will hope to be back as soon as possible.