Browns could get relief from NFL's swine flu policy
Posted by Mike Florio on October 22, 2009 7:11 AM ET
On Wednesday, Browns coach Eric Mangini said that the team doesn't know whether a dozen players currently suffering from the flu have the H1N1 variety. Mangini also said that he's not sure whether the team would be able to disclose the ultimate answer to that question, due to privacy laws.
But based on the terms of the league's policy regarding H1N1, better known as "swine flu," the Browns will be able to use players from the practice squad only if six or more active players are suffering not from seasonal flu or stomach flu or blue flu or "I'm so hung over I'll just say it's the flu," but from the swine flu.
The procedure, as NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the Associated Press, is as follows: "If a club has at least six players unable to participate as the result of confirmed or suspected cases of swine flu, it can receive roster exemptions for those players and promote players from its own practice squad to replace them. A club can receive a max of 8 such exemptions. They must be medically confirmed cases of swine flu. This procedure does not apply to any other type of flu or illness. There is a deadline for promoting practice squad players pursuant to these procedures at four hours prior to kickoff."
On Wednesday, 12 Browns players missed practice with flu-like symptoms. It remains to be seen whether any of them can return to practice -- or whether other players will be absent -- for practice on Thursday.
The Browns host the Packers on Sunday.
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