Buffalo Bills activate COVID-19 wide receiver Cole Beasley

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2:39 p.m. ET

Marcel Louis-JacquesESPN

BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo Bills activated reserve / COVID-19 wide receiver Cole Beasley on Friday with teammates Gabriel Davis, Vernon Butler and Star Lotulelei.

Despite testing negative for the COVID-19 virus, all four players were placed on the roster after the NFL named them as close contacts of a vaccinated training staff member who tested positive for the virus on Tuesday morning. Each player spent five days outside the facility, retroactively to their exhibit.

Beasley also said he was fined $ 16,650 for failing to wear a mask during a brief walk around the team premises. Bill receiver Isaiah McKenzie was also fined the same amount for repeatedly failing to wear a mask inside the facility, as required for unvaccinated players, in accordance with the NFL policy.

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The league’s COVID-19 protocols require unvaccinated players to be quarantined for five days if they are considered close contacts of anyone who tests positive for the virus. Beasley has been one of the most vocal opponents of the protocols – especially the frequency of testing.

“It makes good sense that if a vaxxed or non-vaxxed player is tested less frequently, the likelihood of a player being taken out for COVID drops dramatically,” Beasley said. “Regarding player safety, I will conclude by saying that we all want to be safe.”

Beasley was the Bills’ second-best receiver in 2020, recording 967 yards on 82 catches – two career highs. Meanwhile, Davis’ seven touchdowns were good for the team’s second most in his rookie year last season. Butler is entering his second season with the Bills in 2021, while Lotulelei is entering his fourth – although he has withdrawn from the 2020 season due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

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