NFL Updates are on the rise as the teams head into Week 5. How will the league handle the uptick in Covid-19 tests and will the schedule have to change or be paused?
Oct. 25
Jaguars’ RB Ryquell Armstead Out for Season
Jaguars RB Ryquell Armstead has been hospitalized twice because of COVID-19 complications and will miss the season, per @AdamSchefter.https://t.co/XeO41Ll4kQ
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 25, 2020
Titans Fined 350K by NFL Over Covid Issues
Update: The #Titans have been fined $350K, source said, and have been told there will be escalated discipline with further instances of COVID-19 protocol violations. https://t.co/8IytciX2zb
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 25, 2020
Oct. 24
More Players Hit the Reserve/Covid-19 List
And today’s list of guys going to the COVID-19 list includes the Bills tight ends and Jags RB Chris Thompson. pic.twitter.com/FYuLnAErCB
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 24, 2020
And the NFL informed teams of the measures that must be taken:
The NFL sent this memo to clubs Friday laying out procedures for “high risk” close contacts. With no positive test results this morning from Friday’s testing, the #Raiders can activate four starting offensive linemen by 4 p.m. today. Final all-clear comes Sunday morning. pic.twitter.com/ivDJ4VdyRS
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 24, 2020
Bills Hit with Covid-19 Outbreak
Bills’ TE Dawson Knox tested positive for COVID 19 and was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Three other players – TE Lee Smith, TE Tommy Sweeny, and practice squad TE Nate Becker – were in close contact to Knox and also were placed on Reserve/COVID-19 list.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 24, 2020
Oct. 23
Emmanuel Sanders Out Sunday for Saints
Saints are placing WR Emmanuel Sanders on reserve-COVID list, meaning he will be out for Sunday’s game vs. Panthers, per source. Issue is he practiced Thursday and now must quarantine.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 23, 2020
Oct. 22
Raiders Add Number of Players on COVID List
The Las Vegas Raiders will place four starting offensive linemen and safety Johnathan Abram on the reserve/COVID-19 list after all five players were deemed high-risk contacts. Center Rodney Hudson, guards Gabe Jackson and Denzelle Good, tackle Kolton Miller and Abram all missed their second straight day of practice Thursday while in quarantine.
With Trent Brown already on the Reserver/COVID list, the Raiders could potentially be without all five starting offensive linemen for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Oct. 21
Uh, Oh: Raiders Having Major COVID Woes
Jon Gruden said #Raiders "had to send five starting linemen home because they were around Trent [Brown]," who will reportedly go on the COVID-19 list. "Hopefully we'll get some players back tomorrow for Sunday."
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) October 21, 2020
“I’m concerned about his health,” Gruden said about Brown.
Raiders’ HC Jon Gruden said his team sent home all five starting offensive linemen today because they were closest to Trent Brown, who will be placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
“I’m concerned about his health,” Gruden said. pic.twitter.com/H7pc9hjMxk
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2020
Panthers Place Pair on Reserve/COVID-19 List
#Panthers place Joey Slye and Trent Scott on reserve/COVID-19 list https://t.co/NNUlnVNRcx
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 21, 2020
Oct. 17
Patriots Place Trio on Reserve/COVID-19 List
The Patriots are placing RB Sony Michel, G Shaq Mason and DE Derek Rivers all on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, per source.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 17, 2020
Now, a Denver Broncos Coach Tests Positive
Statement from the Broncos:
📰 » https://t.co/NRFVUZpxgn pic.twitter.com/5y5nk6Ys1f
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 17, 2020
Oct. 16
Eagles Add Lineman to Covid-19/Reserve List
Roster Move: #Eagles have placed G/T Matt Pryor on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. pic.twitter.com/DXRT2gVTGC
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 16, 2020
New England Patriots Faced With Another Covid-19 Positive
Reporting with @FieldYates: The Patriots will be canceling their Friday practice after a positive COVID-19 test, per a source. There is also a second test they are awaiting to confirm is a positive.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 16, 2020
Update: False Positives Strike Indianapolis Colts
Update on this morning’s COVID-19 testing: pic.twitter.com/3h5MYklnZ9
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 16, 2020
Oct. 15
Report: Falcons Shut Down Facility Due to Positive Covid-19 Test
Falcons’ rookie DT Marlon Davidson was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list yesterday. Now there are other tests the league is checking. But Falcons’ building is shutting down until there is more information. https://t.co/vsKiYBNUqQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 15, 2020
The Atlanta Falcons are shutting down their facility due to at least one positive Covid-19 test and this has to put the NFL on the spot when it comes to the team’s scheduled game for Week 6 at Minnesota. This is to be the first game for the team’s interim coach Raheem Morris after Dan Quinn and GM Thomas Dimitroff were fired Monday.
The #Falcons placed Marlon Davidson on the Reserve/COVID-19 list yesterday. If the additional positive result(s) this morning end up being false positives, Atlanta could be back to work as soon as this afternoon. https://t.co/bfTgbcyb3z
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 15, 2020
Falcons are working virtually today and released this announcement: pic.twitter.com/vHntMUcNQG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 15, 2020
Reports: Covid-19 Fells Hall of Famer Fred Dean
BREAKING: 49ers' Hall of Fame pass rusher Fred Dean died Wednesday night at 68, according to multiple reports.
Last week, former 49ers safety Dwight Hicks posted on Facebook that Dean, his former teammate, had been hospitalized with the coronavirus.https://t.co/FJ8bEJD3RV
— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) October 15, 2020
Oct. 14
NFL Cancels 2021 Pro Bowl
NFL to reimagine 2021 Pro Bowl; '22 Pro Bowl awarded to Las Vegas: https://t.co/ulgoOzQeqK
— NFL345 (@NFL345) October 14, 2020
Oct. 11
NFL Makes Multiple Schedule Changes Official
Great @NFL games happening now, more to come. A look at schedule changes for the weeks ahead. pic.twitter.com/r60l7KwgG0
— Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) October 11, 2020
Broncos-Patriots Postponed; Multiple Schedule Audibles
For now, Jaguars-Chargers is scheduled for week 8, so there are a lot of moving parts. https://t.co/2lwWINH8IN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2020
Oct. 10
Minor Updates for a Saturday
There are no new positives in Tennessee nor New England, but there are now two other positive tests: one for a practice squad player in Chicago, but Bears have been closed since Thursday night, and a strength and conditioning coach in Kansas City, per source. Tracing is ongoing.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 10, 2020
Oct. 9
New York Jets Say All Clear for Kickoff
After a scare earlier in the day, the Jets released a statement Friday evening saying the team and its personnel had tested negative for the coronavirus and Sunday’s game with the Arizona Cardinals is on as scheduled.
Statement from the New York Jets. pic.twitter.com/J6qzUeFn7r
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 9, 2020
Jets’ training facility is shut down and the team is going virtual until they have the results of the test they are re-running on the player who tested positive this morning.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 9, 2020
Oct. 8
NFL Adjusting Schedule on the Fly
Also, the Bills-Chiefs game is being switched from next Thursday to next Sunday, but reverts back if there are more positive tests in Tennessee, per source.
NFL also gets away from next Thursday’s scheduled presidential debate. pic.twitter.com/LBIJk8u4QV
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2020
Titans’ Covid-19 List Grows
Titans now have added TE MyCole Pruitt and a practice squad DB Breon Borders to the Reseve/COVID-19 list.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2020
Oct. 7
Patriots’ Star DB Stephon Gilmore Tests Positive
#Patriots star CB Stephon Gilmore has tested positive for the coronavirus and the team isn’t expected to practice today, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 7, 2020
Oh, and this photo my concern the NFL, Chiefs and Patriots from after Monday’s game:
That’s Stephon Gilmore with Mahomes. pic.twitter.com/wY2GECSHgX
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) October 7, 2020
Gilmore joins starting QB Cam Newton, who missed the KC game after testing positive for Covid-19, too. The Broncos-Patriots game in Week 5 has to be considered in jeopardy.
Two More Titans Players Test Positive
Two new positive tests for Titans this morning, per source. Their facility will not reopen today.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) October 7, 2020
Oct. 6
Raiders’ Maurice Hurst Tests Positive
Maurice Hurst has been added to the Reserve/Covid-19 List.
Hurst is the 4th highest graded DI in the NFL this season (89.4 overall grade) pic.twitter.com/9MuD85LHMc
— PFF Las Vegas Raiders (@PFF_Raiders) October 6, 2020
Oct. 5
NFL League Memo Mentions, Loss of Draft Picks, Possible Forfeits
NFL memo to teams today. Excerpts include “Complacency is our shared opponent” and “Therw have been breaches to the protocols and individual players, staff, and clubs have been disciplined as a result.” pic.twitter.com/gck1eLx82Q
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) October 5, 2020
Oct. 4
Pats-Chiefs on for Monday Night
Monday just got better. pic.twitter.com/Rq8C24nxhs
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) October 4, 2020
Saints’ Burton Turns Out to Be False Positive
After a long night for the #Saints and FB Michael Burton, his sample came back as a false positive. In the words of one source, “Everything that should have happened, did happen, protocol-wise.” The #Lions–#Saints game is on.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 4, 2020
Report: Saints’ Michael Burton Tests Positive
Saints scramble to test other players after they learn following flight to Detroit that FB Michael Burton tested positive for COVID-19 https://t.co/8BCW75HyI8
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) October 4, 2020
Oct. 3
Patriots-Chiefs Postponed; Cam Newton Tests Positive
Patriots QB Cam Newton has tested positive for COVID-19, sources told @AdamSchefter and @FieldYates. https://t.co/6YqoSiW6jc
— ESPN (@espn) October 3, 2020
— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2020
Statement from the New England Patriots. pic.twitter.com/eSTUukh5vl
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 3, 2020
Now sounding like, Tuesday Night Football, Patriots at Chiefs.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 3, 2020
However, the Monday or Tuesday delay didn’t work out for the Steelers-Titans.
More Positive Test Results Among Titans
In all, 16 members of the Titans’ organization now have tested positive in the past week: eight Titans’ players and eight other members of the organization. https://t.co/vqQg64R4yG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 3, 2020
Oct. 1
NFL Gets Stern About Covid-19 Protocol
NFL just sent a memo to teams about what it is calling an “Intensive post-Covid exposure protocol” . Big item: everybody on practice field must wear PPE, including players. Masks/face shields and gloves for all but the QB throwing hand.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) October 1, 2020
Steelers-Titans Off Until Later in NFL Season
The NFL had hoped to play the Steelers-Titans game on Monday or Tuesday of Week 4. It isn’t happening and the league announced Thursday the game is off until later in the season. Another Tennessee player tested positive for Covid-19 and that makes a quartet in addition to five members of team personnel.
.@NFL Statement on @Steelers–@Titans Game: https://t.co/YkZO4mRR3i pic.twitter.com/22izbzSrlS
— NFL345 (@NFL345) October 1, 2020
Sept. 29
Covid-19 Outbreak Shuts Down Titans, Affects Vikings
The NFL is faced with its first major in-season coronavirus pandemic issue. Three players on the Tennessee Titans have tested positive for Covid-19. Additionally, five team personnel also have tested positive. The team has had to shut down its in-building operations. No players or personnel will be allowed there until Saturday at the earliest. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings, who lost to Tennessee Sunday, will also have to shut down their operations.,
The NFL issued a statement saying both the Titans and Vikings are working with the league and the NFLPA and medical officials “to evaluate close contacts, perform additional testing and monitor developments … with health and safety as our primary consideration.”
Statement from the #Vikings pic.twitter.com/JMG136w2ci
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 29, 2020
Sept. 27
Report: NFL Investigating Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders are now under investigation from the NFL for violating COVID-19 protocols and allowing unauthorized locker room access Monday night, league sources tell ESPN:https://t.co/yiHMRXfuGw
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 27, 2020
Sept. 26
Falcons’ A.J. Terrell Out After Positive Test
Falcons got the news about CB A.J. Terrell’s test today; it was from a test he took Friday morning. Terrell practiced Friday. Now immediate contact tracing goes into effect, per league protocols, but the Falcons have not gotten any other positive test results. https://t.co/0mqy9dNLUG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 26, 2020
Sept. 22
Sean Payton, Jon Gruden Fined 100K Apiece
Now it’s $100,000 fines for Sean Payton and Jon Gruden for not wearing masks last night, and $250,000 fines for their teams. In all, five HCs and teams fined over $1.7 million dollars for not wearing masks in Week 2. pic.twitter.com/Fuk98rQO4W
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 22, 2020
Sept. 21
League Levies $1M in Fines for Mask Violations
And based on the video of tonight’s Monday Night Football game, the NFL might not be done this week doling out fines to HCs. https://t.co/zekfN7jSAV
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 22, 2020
NFL Updates Sept. 2
Kirk Cousins: “If I Die, I Die”
“If I die, I die,” Kirk Cousins, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback said during a recent interview on Spotify’s “10 Questions With Kyle Brandt” podcast. “I kind of have peace about that.”
NFL Updates Aug. 28
Saints’ Owner Gayle Benson Tests Positive for COVID-19
BREAKING: New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson has been diagnosed with coronavirus.
https://t.co/qpi2WOJH9H— NOLA.com (@NOLAnews) August 28, 2020
NFL Updates Aug. 22
Several NFL Teams on Hold After Positive COVID-19 Test Results
— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2020
Aug. 6
Players Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 List passes Century Mark.
Another 10 players were added to the Reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday. That sends the total over the 100-mark.
One of the bigger names:
#Raiders DE Maxx Crosby has been added to the reserve/COVID-19 list
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 6, 2020
Another Jet Opts-Out as Deadline Passes
The Jets suffered another loss on Thursday as the deadline to opt-out flew by players. Wide receiver Josh Doctson, a former top draft pick in Washington, has decided on skipping the upcoming season. In all, more than 60 players have decided to opt-out of the 2020 NFL season.
Jets WR Josh Doctson is opting out.
— Mike Jones (@ByMikeJones) August 6, 2020
Former Cowboys Star Darren Woodson Describes Battle With COVID-19
Darren Woodson starred in the Dallas Cowboys’ secondary and won three Super Bowls with America’s Team. He recently suffered COVID-19 and described in detail the impact of the dreaded virus.
Aug. 5
Dolphins’ WR Albert Wilson Won’t Play in 2020
A day after Allen Hurns opted-out, the Miami Dolphins lost another wideout. Albert Wilson informed the team he has decided to sit out.
— Albert Wilson II (@iThinkIsee12) August 5, 2020
Aug. 4
Cardinals’ Tackle Marcus Gilbert Opts-Out
Arizona RT Marcus Gilbert has opted out of the 2020 season amid concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. Gilbert is the first Cardinals player to opt out of the season, and brings the NFL’s total to more than 50.
Miami Dolphins WR Allen Hurns Chooses to Opt-Out
Coach Flores on WR Allen Hurns opting out for the 2020 season. pic.twitter.com/A35t6d0Qz6
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 4, 2020
Cleveland Browns’ DT Opts-Out
Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Andrew Billings was placed on the Reserve/Opt-Out list. Billings signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract this offseason, which included a $1.5 million signing bonus. The entire deal will toll to 2021.
Aug. 3
The Deadline to Opt-Out is Set
The deadline for NFL players to opt-out will be Thursday at 4 p.m. ET
The Opt-Outs Continue
Panthers linebacker Christian Miller is going to opt out of the 2020 season. The 2019 fourth-round pick notified the team that he is at high risk and believes this is what’s best for his long-term future.
Vikings Players Start to Return
Vikings have activated LB Anthony Barr and DE Ifeadi Odenigbo off the reserve/COVID-19 list. That leaves them with five players on the list.
Aug. 2
Philadelphia Eagles’ Head Coach Doug Pederson Tests Positive
A stunner out of the NFL Sunday night as Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson has tested positive for COVID-19. He is the second NFL coach to have the coronavirus. The Saints’ Sean Payton tested positive and recovered months ago. Pederson is asymptomatic and will self-quarantine.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 3, 2020
Another Patriot Opts-Out
New England Patriots tight end Matt LaCosse has opted out of the 2020 campaign, NFL Network’s Michael Giardi reported. He added that LaCosse and his wife are expecting their first child in November. LaCosse, who signed a two-year deal in March, is the eighth Patriot to forgo the upcoming season;
Jags’ Gardner Minshew II Lands on Reserve/COVID-19 List
We have placed RB Ryquell Armstead, TE Charles Jones, QB Gardner Minshew II, WR Michael Walker and S Andrew Wingard on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. pic.twitter.com/OmVTi3HcJh
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) August 2, 2020
Bills’ DB Opts-Out
Bills cornerback E.J. Gaines is the latest player to opt-out of the 2020 season. Gaines informed the team he won’t be playing because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aug. 1
Lions’ Matt Stafford Lands on Reserve/COVID-19 List
The #Lions have placed QB Matthew Stafford on the COVID-19 list, per the wire.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 1, 2020
Jets’ C.J. Mosley Opts-Out
The New York Jets traded Jamal Adams and now will be without LB C.J. Mosley, who has opted-out of the 2020 season due to family health concerns. Mosley signed a massive deal as a free agent from the Baltimore Ravens in 2019 and played in two games due to injury.
In another AFC East opt-out, Marquise Lee became the seventh New England Patriot exit.
July 30
The Reserve COVID-19 List Keeps Growing
Cleveland placed Jamie Gllan on the list. The punter is known as “The Scottish Hammer.”
Green Bay put placed longtime kicker Mason Crosby, defensive tackle Treyvon Hester and tight end Jace Sternberger on the list.
The Minnesota Vikings placed linebacker Anthony Barr on the list.
Among others: Denver TE Andrew Beck, Raiders RB Devontae Booker, and the Bills’ DBs Dane Jackson and Siran Neal.
July 29
Lions’ Kenny Golladay Heads to Reserve/COVID-19 list
Detroit Lions star receiver Kenny Golladay was one of five players on the team to be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 injured list. Golladay has more than 1,000 receiving yards and 11 TD receptions in 2019. Also added were tight end T.J. Hockenson, the No. 1 pick of the team last season. Cornerback Amani Oruwariye, safety Jalen Elliott and punter Arryn Siposs will start camp on the COVID list.
Chiefs’ Super Bowl star Damien Williams Opts-Out of 2020 season
The Kansas Chiefs will be without running back Damien WIlliams in 2020. The RB who rushed for 104 yards and scored two touchdowns in the victory over the San Francisco 49ers opted-out of the season Wednesday due to COVID-19 concerns.
The Opt-Out List per NFL.com
Voluntary Opt-Outs
Buffalo Bills: DT Star Lotulelei
Dallas Cowboys: CB Maurice Canady, WR Stephen Guidry
Green Bay Packers: WR Devin Funchess
Houston Texans: DT Eddie Vanderdoes
Kansas City Chiefs: OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
New England Patriots: LB Dont’a Hightower, FB Dan Vitale, RB Brandon Bolden, OL Najee Toran
Philadelphia Eagles: Marquise Goodwin
Tennessee Titans: OL Anthony McKinney
Higher Risk Opt-Outs
Minnesota Vikings: DT Michael Pierce
New England Patriots: OL Marcus Cannon
Washington Football Team: DE Caleb Brantley
Unspecified Opt-Outs
Carolina Panthers: LB Jordan Mack
Chicago Bears: DT Eddie Goldman
Cleveland Browns: G Drew Forbes, T Drake Dorbeck
Denver Broncos: DT Kyle Peko
Detroit Lions: DT John Atkins
Kansas City Chiefs: RB Damien Williams
Patriots: S Patrick Chung
New Orleans Saints: TE Jason Vander Laan, TE Cole Wick
Giants: OL Nate Solder
New York Jets: OL Leo Koloamatangi
Philadelphia Eagles: WR Marquise Goodwin
New York Giants OT Nate Solder Opt-Out of 2020 Season
One of the main protectors for the New York Giants’ quarterbacks will not be with the team for the 2020 NFL season. Veteran offensive lineman Nate Solder has opted-out to be with his family has his young son battles cancer.
Giants OT Nate Solder announced he has has opted out of the 2020 season. pic.twitter.com/JJuYaPNH0m
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 29, 2020
July 28
Flood of Players Opt Out of the 2020 Season
The list of players who are opting out of the season keeps growing and growing and … Check this tracker to see some of the names. Wide receiver Devin Funchess of the Green Bay Packers and WR Marquise Goodwin of the Eagles are two of the latest.
6 New England Patriots have opted out
The opt-out merry-go-round took a huge hit on the New England Patriots. Two stars have decided to skip the season: linebacker Dont’a Hightower and safety Patrick Chung Joining Hightower and Chung are fullback Danny Vitale are running back Brandon Bolden, right tackle Marcus Cannon, and guard Najee Toran also opted out.
July 27
Commissioner Officially Cancels NFL Preseason Games
There will be no preseason games in the NFL in 2020. Commissioner Roger Goodell made the expected official Monday in an open letter.
“The NFL in 2020 will not look like other years,” Goodell wrote. “Players and coaches will be tested for the virus regularly, including every day for a while. Preseason games have been canceled.”
Goodell wrote that late summer and early fall are usually “the most optimistic time of year for our fans, and for all 32 teams.”
“In a year that has been extraordinarily difficult for our country and the world, we hope the energy of this moment will provide some much-needed optimism,” Goodell wrote.
Multiple Veterans Opt Out of 2020 NFL Season
A number of familiar names have opted out of the 2020 season due to the pandemic. Joining the Chiefs’ Laurent Duvernay-Tardif are Ravens kick returner/wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas, Seahawks guard Chance Warmack, Cowboys cornerback Maurice Canady, and Patriots fullback Danny Vitale. They will receive a salary of $150,000. Also, Washington defensive end Caleb Brantle is the first player to take the “high risk” opt-out. Brantley, who played in one game last season, will receive a $350,000 stipend.
Vikings Head Trainer, Family Test Positive
Minnesota Vikings head trainer Eric Sugarman and his family have tested positive for COVID-19, the team announced Monday.
STATEMENT FROM ERIC SUGARMAN
This weekend my family and I tested positive for COVID-19. We immediately quarantined and began to follow the established protocols. At this time we are all doing fine and experiencing only mild symptoms.
STATEMENT FROM THE VIKINGS
We learned over the weekend Minnesota Vikings Head Athletic Trainer and Vice President of Sports Medicine and the team’s Infection Control Officer Eric Sugarman, along with members of his family, tested positive for COVID-19. Eric immediately shared his results with the organization and began to follow the previously established comprehensive protocol created by the NFL and national and local health experts. Eric and his family are currently in self-quarantine and providing daily updates on their well-being.
NFL Updates July 16, 2020
Free Agency Changed, NFL Draft Shifted
The NFL played out it’s Super Bowl for the 2019 season (in February of 2020) and for the most part, everything was still fine in the United States at the time. There was no worry about the pandemic, there was no social distancing and there was no worry about shutdowns. However, as we moved throughout the offseason, everything changed.
First off, the NFL had to alter their plans for free agency as players who would normally make visits and do physicals had to scale back. Later in the offseason, the league had planned to have its first-ever NFL Draft in Las Vegas on the Bellagio Fountains but that had to be rearranged. Eventually, it was done in a virtual manner.
Beyond that, spring minicamps and voluntary activities have mostly been canceled or moved online. They haven’t had to worry about games being canceled just yet, but as the season approaches and the virus still lingers, it has to be taken into consideration.
NFL Preseason Canceled
The NFL and the Players Union have already agreed to ax much of the preseason. For now, the league has canceled two weeks of preseason football as well as the Hall of Fame Game. For the most part, nobody is going to miss these games too much, but it does mean that teams could be rusty in Week 1. As of now, there are still two weeks of preseason action on the schedule, but with many states experiencing coronavirus spikes, we might see the league and players come to an agreement where the whole preseason is canceled and the focus simply shifts to playing Week 1.
Training Camps About To Start
The league is moving forward with training camps as rookies are set to start arriving next week. We’re going to see what the league’s safety protocols look like, but we can expect to see plenty of players testing positive for COVID-19. As of July 10th, 72 players had already tested positive for the coronavirus. While this isn’t a concern for most of the athletes like wide receivers and cornerbacks, this could become a serious problem for players like offensive and defensive lineman. COVID-19 is mostly safe for young, healthy people who have no underlying conditions. However, the linemen could be viewed as overweight and that could lead to some serious issues.
NFL Season Starts Sept. 5
While the college football season might be a question mark at this point, there’s no reason to think we won’t see the NFL this season. So many other major sports have made it back and the NFL will too – even if they have to go the full season without fans.
The first game of the year will start with the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, September 5th. It’ll be a rematch of their Divisional Round playoff showdown where the Texans led 24-0 early in the first half but ended up completely blowing the game to the eventual Super Bowl champions.
