There are still details to be hammered out, but the NFL has communicated to its teams that training camp is set to start on time. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, a memo was sent to all teams advising when different report dates will be.
Rookies will report July 21, quarterbacks and injured players report July 23 and the rest of the team will report July 28.
NFL clubs just received this email with reporting dates.
Training camp is on. pic.twitter.com/lya1JtxW4o
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 18, 2020
This applies to 30 of the 32 NFL teams. The Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs will report a couple of days earlier because they play in the league’s season opener on a Thursday night in Week 1.
According to the collective bargaining agreement, the league mandates when camps begin. There are still questions and details to be ironed out in terms of health and safety protocols. That is still being discussed and negotiated with the NFLPA.
However, one detail has been established, according to Pelissero.
Only 20 players will be allowed in team facilities at a time.
As of now, only 20 players would be allowed in the facility at a time, until the NFLPA signs off on infectious disease emergency response plans for each club. If protocols aren't met, a grievance could follow. But clubs have the right to set reporting dates within CBA rules.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 18, 2020
Teams like the Arizona Cardinals will have to stagger reporting times for players.
In a conference call with the media, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said team doctors around the league have said it is safe to begin training camp.
While questions remain, it looks like the Cardinals will kick off camp in a little more than a week.
Football is back, although it still feels like it’s not all the way back yet.
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