Sources told BamaInsider on Thursday that as many as five Alabama players have tested positive for COVID-19 as the team reported back to campus this week. BamaInsider reached out to a university official who was unable to confirm at this time, stating player-privacy regulations.
Later Thursday, Alabama Interim Vice President for Strategic Communications Ryan Bradley provided a statement to BamaInsider reading: “The health and safety of our student-athletes is a top priority. Resources and protocols are in place to ensure they receive the best medical care when returning to campus. Due to privacy laws we cannot share information specific to the health of our student-athletes.”
According to a report from CBS 42 later Thursday, none of the players who tested positive showed prior symptoms. CBS 42 also reported that the list of players included a lineman, a couple of skill players and one quarterback.
Last week, SEC presidents and chancellors voted to allow voluntary in-person athletic activities on campus beginning on June 8. These activities must be supervised and comply with safety guidelines created by each institution.
As of 12:30 p.m. CT on Thursday (June 4), Tuscaloosa County has reported a total of 836 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 383 of which have come in the last 14 days. Last week, Tuscaloosa County was put on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 County National Watch List.
This story will be updated.