Wizards' Thomas Bryant: Enters COVID protocols

Bryant (knee) was placed in the league's COVID-19 health and safety protocols Monday, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.

Bryant is already sidelined as he works back from a torn ACL, so while this isn't the most encouraging development, it shouldn't necessarily affect his return timetable. The big man came back to practice prior to Christmas and is in the latter stages of his recovery, so the hope is that he can make his 2021-22 debut sometime in early-to-mid January. At that point, he'll compete with Daniel Gafford, Rui Hachimura (personal), Montrezl Harrell and Davis Bertans, among a few others, for frontcourt minutes.