ESPN’s Get Up viewers got a surprising announcement on Sunday morning.
When the weekday morning show goes to air on Monday, its most familiar face will not be present.
In fact, Mike Greenberg will be absent until Friday.
On Sunday morning, he announced on his Twitter account that he tested positive for COVID-19.
“Sorry to say I have to miss the beginning of the year, after I tested positive this week. I’m doing fine, very manageable symptoms. Family is fine. I’ll be back on the air Friday. Happy New Year everybody, enjoy the games. I’ll really miss being there to talk about them with you.”
Sorry to say I have to miss the beginning of the year, after I tested positive this week. I’m doing fine, very manageable symptoms. Family is fine. I’ll be back on the air Friday. Happy New Year everybody, enjoy the games. I’ll really miss being there to talk about them with you.
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) January 2, 2022
We wish Greenberg a speedy recovery.
NFL Network’s Colleen Wolfe Also Had COVID-19
Colleen Wolfe from NFL Network was also off the air dealing with COVID-19.
She missed the final Thursday Night Football telecast on December 23; Wolfe was the host of the pre and postgame programs for TNF.
Out for the final Thursday of TNF tonight. Got Covid for Christmas🥺 Stay safe out there🎄 pic.twitter.com/BjVfAQ2oeG
— Colleen Wolfe (@ColleenWolfe) December 23, 2021
Will COVID Impact The NFL Playoffs?
A bigger unknown question is if COVID-19 will impact the NFL playoffs.
A few teams have already dealt with massive outbreaks, most notably the Washington Football Team, Los Angeles Rams, and Cleveland Browns.
Other teams like the Cincinnati Bengals have seen minimal disruption.
Here’s Joe Burrow talking about Cincinnati’s nightlife and the team doing a good job of steering clear of COVID-19 (via @bengals) pic.twitter.com/d3Op1oFJoL
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 22, 2021
While Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow jokingly attributes this to the lack of nightlife in Cincinnati, it does make fans wonder what will happen if their favorite team has a COVID outbreak during the playoffs.
It was disruptive and detrimental during the regular season, but in the win-or-go-home playoffs, the stakes are even higher.
The impact of the NFL’s new COVID-19 protocols this week: a total of 55 players were activated from the COVID-19 list today, with a significant number of them having been placed on the list this week. Faster returns are now in play.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 1, 2022
The NFL’s new rules that minimize the time a player is sidelined after a positive test should help as long as the relaxed rules do not promote larger outbreaks if people come back too soon and infect others.
NEXT: Kelly Clarkson's Messy Divorce Continues (3 Things To Know)