Typically, the start of training camp is an exciting time to hit the ground running and see teams charge full speed ahead into the upcoming season. When the opening bell sounds on your standard training camp experience, it is a flurry of action all at once.
But this is not your typical year — not in any way, shape or form. Never the less, we’ve reached the timeframe for NFL teams to have their players begin reporting to training camp for the upcoming action, including the Miami Dolphins. Today marks step one of that process as rookies have been instructed to report to the team facility today for their first round of COVID-19 testing. Only after multiple negative tests are players permitted to begin the process of strength training and, eventually, working out on the field.
Dolphins rookies could have reported as early as Tuesday of this week, but the Dolphins deferred that opportunity for a few extra days.
Miami is one of the NFL’s fastest acting franchises on the COVID-19 front, the team is pushing the standard for stadium cleanliness and the Dolphins are one of the NFL’s first few teams to have their infectious disease emergency response plan approved in their efforts to fully unlock the team’s facility. Because the Dolphins have this plan approved, the team may allow large groups of people into the facility once COVID-19 screening is complete.
The rookies are up first today — and with the full class signed Miami will be able to lock in testing for all of their rookies. The Dolphins will stagger the testing over several days with virtual meetings in-between; which means there’s no stopping from here for the youngest Miami Dolphins. There’s plenty of work ahead to prep for the 2020 season, which will be one of the most unique in league history given the circumstances. But today, for the Dolphins, marks a key step.