KANSAS CITY - All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu has tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed on the league's reserve list Wednesday, though he could be back with the team soon and available for Week 1 against Cleveland.
Mathieu is fully vaccinated, a person familiar with the situation said, and NFL rules released in July say vaccinated players that test positive and are asymptomatic can return after two negative tests taken 24 hours apart.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because players' vaccination details are not public knowledge.
The timing is fortunate in the Chiefs planned to practice today before taking the weekend off. They will resume their regular game week preparation next week for a divisional playoff rematch Sept. 12 against the Browns.
Mathieu has been an All-Pro each of his first two seasons in Kansas City. He's entering the final year of a three-year, $42-million contract, though both sides have expressed optimism in a long-term extension.