Tag: 2020 rookies

Jets rookies, quarterbacks to be tested for COVID-19 on Friday

The Jets’ rookies could enter team facilities for the first time this offseason as early as July 28 with two negative COVID-19 test results.

The Jets are one step closer to hitting the practice field for the first time this offseason.

Rookies, quarterbacks and injured players will be tested for COVID-19 on Friday, according to the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta. They will then be tested again on Monday, July 27, per NFL and NFL Players Association protocol. If they receive negative results for both tests, they will be allowed to enter the Jets’ facilities on Tuesday, July 28 for the first time this offseason. In between the tests, the players will participate in virtual meetings.

All 18 rookies are currently sequestered in a hotel in New Jersey and were originally supposed to be tested Tuesday, but the Jets didn’t feel comfortable with the lack of clarity from the league on a testing plan for training camp in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The league protocol stated rookies would be tested twice in a five-day span starting Tuesday and would only be allowed to report to training camp after two negative tests. Then, players would be tested every day for two weeks until the positive test rate dropped below 5 percent when the testing would occur every other day.

There hasn’t been much information past that strategy, though.

Now, the team must feel comfortable enough with the NFL’s plan to allow its rookies to be tested and possibly allowed to enter the Jets’ facilities.

Jets delay COVID-19 testing for rookies again

The Jets won’t expose its rookies to training camp for the second consecutive day while it awaits further information from the NFL.

For the second consecutive day, the Jets withheld their rookies from being tested for COVID-19 as the team awaits further information from the league on its plans for training camp.

Testing for rookies was initially delayed Tuesday, but the Jets decided to continue waiting Wednesday, according to SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano, and keep all 18 of their rookies at their hotel. It’s unclear how long the hold will last, but quarterbacks and injured players are scheduled to report to camp Thursday and veterans are scheduled to report on July 28. 

NFL protocol states rookies will be allowed to enter the team facility after two negative tests for COVID-19 over a five-day period, but the Jets appear uncomfortable with the lack of strategy after that time. Every player will reportedly be tested daily for the first two weeks of camp, but otherwise, the plan remains incomplete.

Training camp will be crucial for a Jets team that could look a lot different in 2020. The rookies – all of which have signed except third-rounder Ashtyn Davis – will need all the time in the training facility they can get this offseason considering their important roles on the team. First-round pick Mekhi Becton and second-rounder Denzel Mims should earn starting roles rather quickly, and the rest of the rookies figure to play into the Jets’ short-term plans on offense, defense and special teams.

The rest of the team needs training camp, too. Sam Darnold will get another summer to improve under Adam Gase’s tutelage and the offensive line should be vastly improved after Joe Douglas signed Connor McGovern and George Fant and drafted Becton with the 11th overall pick.

However, the delay in practicing could further hinder the Jets’ potential progression. 

So, until the team learns more information about the NFL’s plan to protect players during the coronavirus pandemic, the Jets won’t risk exposing its players to possible harm.