Although the start of NFL training camps remains on schedule for next week, many stars across the league spoke out over the weekend, voicing their concerns about the league's plan to keep them safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The flurry of statements from both current and former players on Sunday included Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde and wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
This is the ultimate safety and fairness issue that anyone can imagine. To be clear, we want to play. But, we also want to protect ourselves and our families. As players, we take health risk in this game everyday. But we’ve never imagine having to take those risk to our families.
— DIGGS (@stefondiggs)
July 19, 2020 If the NFL doesn’t do their part to keep players healthy there is no football in 2020. It’s that simple. #WeWantToPlay
— Micah Hyde (@micah_hyde)
July 19, 2020 League doctors have informed the NFL Players Association it is safe to return to the field starting with rookies this Tuesday, followed by veterans on July 28th. However, players claim the NFL has not answered many questions pertaining to financial risks and gurantees, as well as lowering the risk of infection.
According to tweets from multiple players that spoke out, approved IDER (infectious disease emergency response) plans have not been received by all 32 teams.
A separate report suggests these plans would come from individual teams, rather than the league itself.
All 32 teams have submitted infectious disease emergency response plans, which have been approved by NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills as well as joint infectious disease experts, per source. Union also must approve before teams can have more than 20 players in building.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero)
July 19, 2020 There are also concerns from the NFLPA about the preseason in August.
The league has planned to cut the preseason from four games to two, but a large number of players prefer to skip the exhibitions all together.
The Buffalo Bills first preseason game was orginally scheduled in Baltimore for August 14th. Whether or not players will be on the field for that game, or at all this summer is still up in the air.
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