Former Green Bay Packers fullback Danny Vitale won’t be playing for any team during the 2020 season.
Vitale, who left Green Bay to sign a deal with the New England Patriots this offseason, is opting out of this season due to concerns over the coronavirus, according to Jarrett Bell of USA TODAY Sports. Vitale’s wife recently gave birth, providing the primary reason for the opt-out.
Vitale, a sixth-round pick in 2016, played two seasons with the Packers (2018-19). He was the team’s full-time fullback during the 2019 season, catching a career-high seven passes for 97 yards, including three catches over 20 yards. He played in 15 games and was on the field for 170 total offensive snaps.
The Packers first signed Vitale to the team’s practice squad in October of 2018.
Under the agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA, players who opt out of the season are given a $150,000 stipend and have their contracts tolled for one year. Vitale had signed a one-year deal worth $1.3 million, with a $100,000 signing bonus.
As of Monday, no current Packers player has opted out of the 2020 season.