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Folks, it looks like we have a false positive on our hands. For the second-straight day, 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has tested negative for COVID-19, per multiple reports.
According to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, Bourne tested negative, along with the three people who live with him.
It is looking as if #49ers WR Kendrick Bourne’s test from yesterday was a false positive, according to source close to him. He and three others who live with him have all tested negative. Still, he, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams must remain on COVID-19 list today.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) November 5, 2020
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, all four are eligible to return now, begging the question as to why Thursday’s contest was not postponed. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Brandon Aiyuk would have been in the role Richie James Jr. (nine catches, 184 yards, 1 TD) was, and it also would have meant Trent Williams starting in place of Justin Skule, who allowed three sacks. Trent Taylor, who didn’t catch a pass until there was just over a minute remaining in the game, would have had far fewer snaps, with Kendrick Bourne likely taking that slot role. Deebo Samuel would have been out with a hamstring injury.
Bourne, per Garafolo, represents the fourth false positive out of 105 similar cases.
Take 2: #49ers WR Kendrick Bourne’s latest COVID-19 test results came back negative, sources say. Two days in a row of negative tests following his positive on Wednesday. He’s eligible to return, as are Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 6, 2020
Meanwhile, a Packers player tested positive after Thursday night’s contest.
One Packers player who played last night has tested positive for COVID-19, per @AdamSchefter.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) November 6, 2020
Despite the 49ers’ tests coming back negative and the Packers having a positive test, San Francisco reportedly under investigation by the NFL for potential breaches of COVID-19 protocols, specifically, as to whether Kendrick Bourne was using his mask effectively and consistently enough.
To recap:
- All four 49ers players on the reserve/COVID-19 list tested negative and are eligible to come off the list a day after a seemingly forced Thursday game
- A Packers player tested positive after the game
- San Francisco is currently under investigation to determine whether Bourne, a false positive, was wearing his mask properly
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story said Bourne lives with Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams, which is not correct. Bourne, and the three people he live with all tested negative.