COVID updates in sports: NFL has record 47 additions to reserve list Monday, including Chiefs TE Travis Kelce, and NHL is reeling

COVID continues to disrupt schedules and rosters across sports, with the NHL suspending operations of four more teams on Monday. Meanwhile, 47 players were added to the NFL's COVID/reserve list, the most in a single day as the number neared 200 players since last Monday.   

The biggest name to end up on the NFL's list was Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who still could play in Sunday's home game against the Steelers. Kelce, who was named to his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl on Monday, is vaccinated and needs to remain symptom-free and clear testing protocols before this weekend's game.

Kelce had the best game of his career in Thursday night's 34-28 overtime win against the Chargers. He caught 10 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns, including the 34-yard winner in the extra period. Kelce leads NFL tight ends with 1,066 yards, and this is the sixth straight season he has topped 1,000. 

Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker and cornerback Charvarius Ward also were placed on the COVID list. Kicker Elliott Fry was added to the active roster from the practice squad to fill in if Butker can't pass protocols.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones, linebacker Willie Gay and receiver Josh Gordon all missed Thursday's game against Los Angeles after being placed on the COVID list last week.          

The NHL paused team activities for the Blue Jackets, Canadiens, Oilers and Senators until after Dec. 26. That brings the total to 11 teams that have shut down, as they join Calgary, Detroit, Toronto, Colorado, Florida, Nashville and Boston.

The NHL also postponed Tuesday's game in Seattle, where the Kraken were scheduled to host the Arizona Coyotes. There are 12 games that were scheduled to be played Monday and Tuesday that have been postponed.

The league remains steadfast that it will continue the 2021-22 season and address issues on a team-by-team basis. 

In the NBA, the Warriors will be without Andrew Wiggins for at least Monday night's game against  Sacramento after he was placed in the league's protocols late Sunday. He joins teammate Jordan Poole, who was added to the protocols last week.

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