The first players arrive at NFL facilities today. That’s when the rookies and injured players are to report to the Chiefs and Texans facilities. The rest of the NFL teams, including the Raiders, will see players begin reporting to facilities on July 23. Full teams report on July 28.
These report dates were uncertain as of this weekend when the NFLPA expressed serious concerns with the lack of a communicated plan by the NFL with regard to COVID-19 testing and protocols.
As of today, a deal has been reached, which should have players reporting on time to facilities, providing they test negative prior to arrival, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Players will need multiple negative tests before they’re allowed to be in the building for physicals or team activities. That’s a lesson the NFL has taken from other pro leagues: Take it slow. NFL Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills says test results expected within 24 hours.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 20, 2020
Pelissero added in an additional tweet this importance of this is “It’s the 7th of 7 major health and safety protocols that needed to be completed. Other issues still being negotiated, including economics, but a step forward as players report to camp.”
To reiterate; multiple negative tests must be accomplished before a player can report to the facility. By the same token, any players who tests positive would not be arriving on-time and must stay away until it’s clear they’ve recovered and are no longer contagious.
For the first two weeks of camp, there will be tests every day for players and coaches. If by the end of those two weeks, positive rates are below five percent, the tests will happen every other day.
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