The Los Angeles Rams and all other NFL teams are expected to report to training camp this week, although the league and the NFLPA still have some issues to sort out before that can happen.
A handful of the NFL’s most high-profile players, including Jared Goff and Aaron Donald, took to social media on Sunday to express their concerns with the league’s lack of health and safety protocols in place.
It appears that did the trick as the NFL and NFLPA had a meeting on Monday and were able to come to an agreement on protocols. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, players and staff members will be tested every day during training camp with a quick response rate to ensure everyone’s safety:
Players will need multiple negative tests before they’re allowed to be in the building for physicals or team activities. That’s a lesson the NFL has taken from other pro leagues: Take it slow. NFL Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills says test results expected within 24 hours.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 20, 2020
While there will be daily testing once training camp gets underway, it will take some time to get to that point once players report:
That means for a veteran who reports July 28, a physical would occur no sooner than Aug. 1. A five-day on-boarding process before moving into strength and conditioning. https://t.co/PAwnNQszAv
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 20, 2020
The NFL then confirmed the new protocols that are in place:
More on the extended screening period, including a quarantine between the first two tests. https://t.co/3Vk4wk1R50
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 20, 2020
There are still other issues that need to be worked out, including how many preseason games will be played, but it is good to see that the NFL and NFLPA are working together to come up with the best plan possible for the 2020 season.
The preseason has already been shortened from four to two games, although the players want to eliminate it altogether. Barring that type of change though, the Rams will take the field for the first time in 2020 on Saturday, Aug. 22 against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
