Tag: nfl covid-19

Two Buccaneers players test positive for COVID-19

Two Tampa Bay Buccaneers players have tested positive for COVID-19, along with one coach.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, like the rest of the NFL, were hoping training camp and the 2020 season would kick off without a hitch in light of the coronavirus pandemic, but today’s latest news is a stark wake-up call to the reality of the world we now live in.

No word yet on which players have tested positive, but several Bucs players have been working out with quarterback Tom Brady at a nearby Tampa prep school. It remains to be seen how this will impact the team’s plans for camp going forward.

The Bucs released the following statement to confirm the diagnosis and their plans to try and ensure the safety of others.

Several NFL players have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past few months, including Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys.

With so much uncertainty still surrounding the virus, it’ll be interesting to see if the NFL alters their plans for the 2020 season.

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Sound off: Will the 2020 NFL season begin on time?

Poll: Do you feel the 2020 NFL season will begin as scheduled?

There is much uncertainty about where it all goes from here, the COVID-19 pandemic appears far from over. While it feels like the collective sports world is inching closer to reopening at varying stages this summer, one has to question whether the NFL will indeed be able to begin the season as planned on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Early indications suggest there could be games without fans, but it would at least allow the contests to be played. We’re hearing reports of a reduced preseason slate, as well, and there remains a hint of doubt surrounding training camps.

Where we currently sit, armed with the ever-changing knowledge we possess, do you feel the 2020 NFL season will begin as scheduled?

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NFL tells teams they must stay at their facilities for training camp

The league sent a memo to all teams today outlining new guidelines for training camp in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic has made this an offseason unlike any other for the NFL. And with team facilities slowly beginning to open back up, the league is making sure they take all the proper steps to ensure a safe path to the regular season, sending out a memo today outlining guidelines for training camp this year.

Take a look.

Fortunately, for the Bucs, this won’t affect them, at least in terms of where they hold their training camp. Tampa Bay has held its camp at One Buccaneer Place since 2009, so no change there.

While joint practices have become a recent trend, I doubt it will impact the Bucs. The most important thing for Tampa Bay when training camp starts is developing that chemistry between Tom Brady and his new teammates. The six-time Super Bowl champion held an informal workout session with Bucs players recently, but will need all of training camp to get comfortable in this new offense.

At least he won’t have to worry about traveling far.

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It’s a weird world for Bucs WR Mike Evans

With the coronavirus pandemic putting sports on hold, offseason schedules for many NFL players are out of sync.

The 2020 NFL draft is this week, but due to the coronavirus pandemic we won’t get to see it in all its glory in Las Vegas, as was originally planned. Instead, teams will participate in a fully virtual draft starting Thursday, handling the bulk of their draft duties from the comfort of their own homes.

But, while teams and soon-to-be rookies are caught up in the business of draft week, veteran players like Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans are left wondering what to do. Usually around this time, players would be taking part in OTAs, but with social distancing and public safety taking precedence, as it should, things are a little out of sync for veterans.

Evans took to Twitter today to share his thoughts on the matter.

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