.@JudyBattista joined Inside Training Camp LIVE to talk about teams' optimism heading into the season, along upcoming testing protocol updates as camps come to a close 👇 pic.twitter.com/xpMDrmQ1b4
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) September 4, 2020
The NFL comprehensive COVID-19 testing protocols that were rolled out in training camps this season were a success.
In the offseason, there were doubts from owners, general managers and coaches about the league’s ability to complete a full season. However, due to the strict adherence to social distancing and testing protocols, that outlook has changed.
“The feeling [among the league] is so markedly different from what it was, even right before training camp began, but certainly from the spring, about their ability to get through a full season,” said NFL.com columnist Judy Battista. “A season that probably will not have a great many interruptions because of the virus.”
Giants president John Mara, who was instrumental in the planning of this unprecedented season, said that he’s far more confident now. “If you had asked me back in March, I would’ve had serious doubts [about the ability to play a full season],” Mara said to media on Thursday.
There was a massive sigh of relief following the August false positives scare, but from it came a way to combat the issue should it re-occur during the season. There were only four total positive tests from August 12 to August 29.
In talking to coaches, players, and general managers, Battista said their confidence to be able to play a full season has been lifted.
Mara told Battista that a game might need postponed or moved around, but the overall feeling now is that those circumstances would be isolated and not a widespread shut down, as was feared months ago.
Not comfortable just yet
The league has not yet announced its plans for in-season testing protocols. The steps taken during training camp expire on Saturday. The expectation is that daily testing will continue, according to Battista, per NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills. Protocols have worked well and given the league confidence and a sense of security.
“It’s still possible that, at some point, they would consider going to three days a week testing if things are looking good,” a general manager told Battista.
With kickoff now just six days out, Battista believes the NFL will release its regular-season plan within the next 24 hours.