NFL Teams reducing training camp rosters amid COVID-19
Apparently, NFL teams will be cutting down on training camp rosters as a result of the coronavirus, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Typically, NFL teams head into camps with 90 players, but sources have said that could be cut down to 80 or 75 players.
In an effort to combat COVID-19, NFL teams are likely to bring fewer than the regular 90 players they ordinarily bring to training camp, per league sources. One source is predicting 80 per team, another 75, but no one is expecting 90. More coming up on https://t.co/rDZaVFhcDQ.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 2, 2020
“[It’s] definitely not 90,” one source told Schefter.
With the league already planning to shorten the preseason from four games to two games, there are fewer opportunities for end-of-roster players to earn their spots on the team.
However, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the NFL is reportedly considering expanding practice squads, maybe by up to 16-20 players. The limit per team in 2019 was 10 players but Garafolo said that the total was already set to increase to 12 for 2020.
NFL practice squads were to expand from 10 to 12 players in 2020. Now, there’s internal talk about expanding to as many as 16 for greater roster flexibility for positive Covid tests, sources tell me and @judybattista. NFLPA would have to co-sign but that’s more jobs for players.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 18, 2020
Amid concerns that the coronavirus pandemic situation is now taking a turn for the worse, the NFL is still planning to to begin the season on time in September with players also set to report to training camp later in July.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said recently training camps will remain on schedule as teams “get ready for games at our stadiums and to engage our fans both in stadiums and through our media partners,” via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
So there is a date to report: July 28. The NFL and NFLPA are still negotiating what camp will look like and how the protocols will be handled and everything else. But players will arrive on time. https://t.co/BLrbUQnRXx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 24, 2020
According to the Centers for Disease Control, COVID-19 has led to over 128,000 deaths in the United States, while Wednesday was the largest day of new cases so far with over 50,000 nationwide.
