As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to get under control in the United States, the NFL has begun implementing its plan for a return to action.
There were never any plans for the NFL to move back its 2020 schedule, but there originally wasn’t expected to be any offseason in-person workouts or meetings.
That changed in recent weeks though as the league has begun allowing coaches to return to their offices, with the potential for a minicamp involving players to follow.
The Los Angeles Rams are in a weird position as their new stadium and facilities are not yet completed, although they still have their old offices in Thousand Oaks to work out of if they choose. While many NFL coaches have already returned to offices, the same cannot yet be said for Sean McVay and his staff.
It appears that may be changing though as Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated is reporting that the Rams will be re-opening their facilities beginning June 15:
The Rams will also open their facility to coaches on the 15th, but on an optional basis.
This is certainly good news for McVay and his staff, which is filled with tons of new coaches and coordinators so having time in-person to go over schemes and prepare for the 2020 season will be essential.
There still is no date set for when players will be able to return to facilities, although the NFL recently announced the restrictions that will be in place when they do, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network:
Among the highlights here:
– Locker rooms reconfigured to permit people being 6 feet apart
– Meetings must be conducted virtually when possible
– Helmets, shoulder pads, etc. disinfected after each game
– Masks required except when interfering with "athletic activities" https://t.co/AvNO7Si2Gt
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 8, 2020
While minicamps may ultimately not take place, it is good to see that health and safety is an area of concern whenever players return to facilities. That may not be until training camp, which the Rams recently announced will be held at their practice facility instead of UC Irvine.
