We’re beginning to get solid information about how and when teams will be allowed to have players return to team facilities.
While there remain no set dates for training camp and a return to facilities for the Kansas City Chiefs and other teams, we now know the protocols by which players will be allowed to return to team facilities. According to a new report, we also might have an idea of when some specific players could be permitted to return to the building.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero claims the NFL and NFLPA are discussing the return of rookies and certain veterans on a limited basis. According to Pelissero, no date is set in stone but a return could happen prior to June 26.
No dates set yet and no minicamps expected, but the NFL and NFLPA are discussing the possibility of certain players — such as rookies, and veterans who changed teams and need physicals — returning to club facilities on a limited basis before June 26, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 8, 2020
The veteran players who would be permitted to return would be those who are new to the team, either via free agency or trade, and have yet to complete a physical with their new team. For the Chiefs, that group includes QB Jordan Ta’amu, RB DeAndre Washington, OT Mike Remmers, TE Ricky Seals-Jones, CB Antonio Hamilton, P Tyler Newsome and DE Taco Charlton.
Rookie players would likely be permitted to return in order to receive physicals, but it’d also help them get their feet under them before jumping right into things when every player returns. It’s an acclimation period they weren’t afforded during a traditional rookie minicamp due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chiefs currently have 25 rookies on their 90-man offseason roster, including undrafted free agents. This could mean that over 30 players are back in the building in Kansas City before the month is over. That’d be important progress for the future reopening of team facilities to all players and staff.
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