The deadline for players to opt-out of the season is Thursday at 4 p.m. So far, no Steelers have opted out, and, according to head coach Mike Tomlin, none plan to do so.
Although James Washington and Jaylen Samuels were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week, Tomlin is not aware of any players planning to sit out the season.
“I don’t have any knowledge that anyone on our team has any strong considerations in that way,” Tomlin said Thursday in a press conference. “If that were the case like I mentioned earlier, that is a very individual decision, one that we all would understand, respect and adjust.”
“Secondarily, I don’t know that I’m extremely confident. I respect the challenges that these circumstances have presented to other leagues, some of which we’re witnessing. I think we’re all proceeding with caution and working extremely hard not to become part of that. We’ve got some people in leadership positions, Dr. [Allen] Sills and other medical professionals that have led the charge for us globally in the NFL. We’re working our tails off to adhere to it and hoping that is enough coupled with, obviously, personal decision making that needs to be exhibited continually by our guys throughout the course of this.”
So far, 60 players have opted out. The New England Patriots have the most with eight, including linebacker Dont’a Hightower and safety Patrick Chung.
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