Tag: reopening

NFL players union has not yet agreed to a reopening plan

The NFL players union (NFLPA) has not yet agreed to a reopening plan following the pandemic despite some team facilities opening their doors.

The National Football League might be allowing for team facilities to slowly reopen around the country, however, the players themselves are not yet ready to return.

Browns center and NFL Players Association president, JC Tretter, tweeted the following message on Tuesday.

“Players: our union has not agreed to any reopening plan. Any reports about coming back to work are hypothetical. You will hear from the NFLPA when there are new developments.”

Tretter’s tweet could be a reaction to the report by CBS Sports’ Charles Robinson that suggested head coaches could return as soon as next week and minicamps could be held beginning mid-June.

“We have the, I guess what you could call an advantage of we still have time before our season is projected to start,” Tretter said on a conference call May 19 via CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards. “A lot of the other leagues are trying to figure this out right now and trying to piece it together, and we still have time. I would not say we are at the point where we need to make an agreement.

“We are going to keep sitting back and making sure we make the right decisions for our players.”

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Which NFL teams are beginning to reopen facilities this week

The Cardinals, Colts, Falcons and Steelers are beginning to open their NFL facilities despite the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the nation.

Professional football in the fall in getting closer to becoming a reality despite the coronavirus pandemic that is still impacting the nation. This week, several NFL teams will slowly begin to reopen their facilities.

Per the league, clubs are allowed to reopen only if they follow “governing state and local regulations, are in compliance with additional public health requirements in their jurisdiction, and have implemented the protocols” set out by the NFL to ensure the safety of all employees.

The Cardinals, Colts, Falcons and Steelers are beginning their reopening process on Tuesday per Around the NFL writer Kevin Patra. Coaches are not allowed at team facilities at this phase and most returning employees are part of the clubs’ operational departments.

The number of people allowed in the buildings will be strictly managed to allow for proper social distancing. Other measures such as temperature-taking and mask-wearing will also be enforced in the name of safety.

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Chiefs can reopen team facility today

Find all of the important details about how the Kansas City Chiefs can reopen their team facility.

Facilities for all 32 NFL teams have been shut down since March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but that’s set to change today.

In a memo issued to NFL teams, league Commissioner Roger Goodell has permitted NFL teams to begin phase one of reopening on Tuesday, May 19 in accordance with state and local guidelines. The Kansas City Chiefs are among the teams that should be able to reopen due to an easing of restrictions in the state of Missouri. But whether they will reopen their facility remains to be seen.

There are significant safeguards and restrictions the NFL has implemented in phase one of the reopening. Here’s a summary of those restrictions outlined in the memo:

  • No more than 50% of team staff is allowed to return to facilities. That number must not exceed 75 people combined.
  • No coaching staff is allowed to return to the facility until all 32 teams can return. Personnel staff, football ops and administration staff, equipment staff, medical staff and nutritionists are permitted to return. Strength and conditioning coaches can return if they’re part of an injured player’s rehab process.
  • No players are allowed in the team facility unless they’re undergoing treatment or rehabilitation for an injury.
  • Consumer-related departments are not permitted to reopen.
  • Any instance of COVID-19 in a facility must be reported to NFL Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sills.
  • Teams must remain in constant communication with the league in regards to changes to local and state regulations.

This is just the first step in the process, and despite the lack of players and coaching staff, it’s an important step in the right direction. It’ll help demonstrate the league’s ability to keep its employees safe and effective while accommodating social distancing guidelines.

The Chiefs have quite a few injured players who could ultimately end up in the team facility for rehab. Juan Thornhill, Martinas Rankin, Alex Okafor and Breeland Speaks could be among the players called into the team facility.

If all goes well for the NFL during this first phase, we could see these restrictions loosen with coaches and players allowed back in the facility shortly.

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League extends NFL virtual offseason through May 29

The National Football League has announced the extension of the virtual offseason for an additional two weeks, through May 29, 2020.

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the National Football League has now extended the virtual offseason for an additional two weeks. Scheduled to originally expire on May 15, the virtual offseason may now continue through May 29.

All NFL training facilities will remain closed per the league until specific protocols can be followed and each club’s state governor has allowed a reopening which would permit teams to resume in-person practice. For now, teams will continue their training remotely.

The mandate was laid out by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in a memo sent to all 32 clubs. Those who had not included virtual workouts in their programs can now do so “provided players are given adequate notice to prepare for participation in the workouts.”

As of now, all offseason workout programs must conclude by June 26. However, there is a provision in place in should reopenings begin in the near future.

“In the event Club facilities reopen at some point in June, under protocols established by the League in consultation with our medical advisors, the remaining on-field portion of the program will be determined in consultation with the Joint Committee and will be promulgated to Clubs at the earliest possible date,” the memo noted.

This story is continuing to develop.

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NFL sets protocols teams must have in place for reopening facilities

The National Football League has issued a memo detailing the protocols teams must have in place for reopening due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Football League has now put all 32 teams on notice of the protocols clubs must have in place by May 15 prior to the potential reopening of any facilities.

A limited number of non-player personnel would be allowed to return in the first phase of the protocol.

Commissioner Roger Goodell outlined the following requirements laid out in a memo obtained by the Associated Press.

The step-by-step requirements are:

Local and state government officials must consent to reopening.

The team must implement all operational guidelines set by the league to minimize the risk of virus transmission among employees.

Each club must acquire adequate amounts of needed supplies as prescribed by the league.

An Infection Response Team with a written plan for newly diagnosed coronavirus cases.

An Infection Control Officer to oversee all aspects of the implementation of the listed guidelines.

Each employee who returns to work at the club facility must receive COVID-19 safety and hygiene training prior to using the facility, and agree to report health information to the ICO.

“While these protocols have been carefully developed and reflect best practices,” Goodell wrote in the memo. “They can also be adapted and supplemented to ensure compliance with any state and local public health requirements.”

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