In a memo to NFL teams, Commissioner Roger Goodell reversed course and indicated that teams will be permitted to open their facilities for the first time in over two months as early as this Tuesday, May 19th. However, local restrictions will almost certainly prevent the Detroit Lions from joining most of their peers.
Facilities for all 32 NFL teams have been mandated to be closed since mid-March as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Teams have been working remotely ever since, and initially the NFL was not going to allow any facilities to open until all teams would have equal access based on local responses to the pandemic. That has now changed.
From the memo distributed to clubs and made public via the AP,
“Clubs may reopen their facilities beginning on May 19 if they are permitted to do so under governing state and local regulations, are in compliance with any additional public health requirements in their jurisdiction, and have implemented the protocols that were developed by (the NFL’s Chief Medical Officer) and distributed to all clubs on May 6.”
However, there are several restrictions on who can be in the facilities. Among those limits:
- Only players who are undergoing medical treatment or injury rehab are allowed, along with strength and conditioning staff to work with them. Players coming off an injury like Matthew Stafford and Kerryon Johnson would qualify.
- No more than 50 percent of the staff may be in the facility, with a cap of 75 total people at any time.
- Coaches cannot return until all 32 teams are on equal footing and allowed to attend via local regulations and restrictions. Matt Patricia and his on-field coaching staff cannot report for duty.
- Front office personnel, administration staff, equipment people, medical and nutritionist staff are allowed.
Because the state of Michigan remains under strict lockdown orders until at least May 29, the Lions are unlikely to qualify as an essential business to be allowed to open its doors. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has not yet addressed the situation.