NFL Training Camps to Open on Time Despite Coronavirus Disagreements

Despite a lack of agreement between the league and the players’ union on coronavirus protocols, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent sent a memo to teams, stating that training camps will open on time. That means that teams will be able to report to camp by July 28th, with rookies reporting on the 21st and quarterbacks on the 23rd.

As reported by the Associated Press, the NFL’s decision ignores the ongoing tension between the league and the union on protocols to ensure the health and safety of players in a restarted season. The NFLPA could file a grievance if that tension is not resolved adequately, claiming that the league would be reneging on its duty to provide a safe work environment.

Given that all players are expected to report in the next ten days, it is not surprising that some of the higher-profile stars are voicing their concerns about the plan to return to work. On Sunday, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson tweeted his concerns about the league’s plans for safety and health:

I am concerned.
My wife is pregnant.@NFL Training camp is about to start..

And there’s still No Clear Plan on Player Health & Family Safety. 🤷🏾

We want to play football but we also want to protect our loved ones. #WeWantToPlay

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) July 19, 2020

Those plans diverge from the union’s suggestion in one major way: the league plans to test players every other day, while the union would like that to be every day. The two sides are also in disagreement about preseason games: the league wants two games per team, while the union wants none, due to the unnecessary added risk.

Given the league’s insistence that camps open in the next fortnight, these are issues that must be worked out and quickly at that. Otherwise, player concerns about their health and safety could lead to opt-outs as the NFL looks to bring its season back with as few distractions as possible in these bizarre times.

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Read the full story at the Associated Press