Jets training camp is going to be a completely different experience in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Jets’ rookies arrived on July 21, while the veterans showed up on July 28. All players had to have two negative tests for COVID-19 before being allowed in the training facility. The players will continue to be tested every day for two straight weeks, dating back to Aug. 1.
Once all the players tested negative for COVID-19 twice, they could begin taking physicals and participating in team activities on Aug. 1. Beginning on Aug. 3, the players start their acclimation period that runs through Aug. 11. It’s basically an extended ramp-up period for players to build up their strength and conditioning.
On Aug. 12, the first non-pads practice opens up, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini. That gradual ramp-up period will run through Aug. 16. On Aug. 17, the Jets and all 31 other teams can begin padded practices. Those will go until Sept. 6 when teams start to prepare for their Week 1 matchups. For the Jets, they’ll be up in Buffalo in the first week of the regular season.
There will be no preseason games in 2020, either. So the first time the Jets will be able to line up against another team will be in Week 1 against the Bills. Overall, it’s a 48-day training camp in order to get the players ready to go for Week 1.