Amari Cooper fined by NFL for violating Covid-19 protocols for unvaccinated players

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper will have to pay the NFL a $14,650 fine for violating COVID-19 protocols, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. Cooper reportedly attended a Dallas Mavericks game last week and did not wear a mask, which is against protocol for unvaccinated players.

The wideout out of the University of Alabama already missed time this season with the virus.

On top of attending the Mavs game, Amari Cooper also attended the Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium between his alma mater and Cincinnati. Cooper went to the Mavs game with CeeDee Lamb and to the Cotton Bowl game with former Tider Trevon Diggs. Both Diggs and Lamb are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Amari Cooper was fined $14,650 by the NFL for violating the COVID-19 protocols for unvaccinated players by attending a Dallas Mavericks game last week and not wearing a mask, according to a source.

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) January 13, 2022

The Cowboys are gearing up for a Wild Card matchup against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET.

The Alabama product took 68 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns during the regular season for the Cowboys. It’s just the second time in his career that he had been held under 1,000 yards receiving since joining the league in 2015.

Thanks to his injury-plagued start to the 2021-22 season, the Cowboys have relied on second-year receiver CeeDee Lamb, who just completed his first 1,000-yard receiving season as well, leading Dallas with 79 snags for 1,102 yards and six scores.

The Cowboys, who are hosting their Wild Card game against the 49ers this weekend, have opened up as a three-point favorite, according to ESPN. The game will air live on CBS this Sunday following the conclusion of the FOX broadcast of the Eagles vs. Buccaneers wild card game.

Cowboys return three from COVID-19 list

After missing Week 18 versus the Philadelphia Eagles while on the COVID-19 list, three key Dallas Cowboys are back with the team as of Thursday.

Offensive lineman Tyron Smith and linebacker Micah Parsons are now active off of the COVID-19 list.

After a stellar Week 17 performance, Micah Parsons tested positive for COVID-19. He went on the reserve list and missed the Week 18 win over the Eagles.

In his rookie season, Parsons has emerged as one of the NFL’s most versatile defenders and thrown his hat into the Defensive Player of the Year award race. He has recorded 84 tackles, including 20 tackles for loss and 13 sacks over 16 games, adding three pass deflections and three forced fumbles.

The Cowboys have been without left tackle Tyron Smith for several weeks. First, he battled an ankle injury. Then, as he neared full recovery, he went on the COVID-19 list. Getting the All-Pro back on Wednesday is perfect timing with the game on Sunday in Dallas.

Kearse is the latest Cowboys’ player to be activated from Reserve/COVID-19. The safety won’t count against the team’s 53-man roster until Friday because of the short-term roster exemption, but he can practice Thursday.