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All Systems Are Go for Training Camp

The Miami Dolphins and the rest of the NFL will open training camp as scheduled next week after the NFLPA approved a deal addressing coronavirus-related issues
Alain Poupart|
Brian DeCiara-USA Today Sports

"Training camps will begin as scheduled."

That was a line from a statement by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday after the NFLPA voted 29-3 to accept a proposal from the NFL to address several issues related to the opening of training camp and the 2020 season.

"The NFL clubs and the NFL Players Association approved an agreement that broadly resolves all outstanding issues relating to the opening of training camps and start of the 2020 season," Goodell's statement read. "Training camps will begin as scheduled.

"We have worked collaboratively to develop a comprehensive set of protocols designed to minimize risk for fans, players, and club and league personnel. These plans have been guided by the medical directors of the NFL and the NFLPA and have been reviewed and endorsed by independent medical and public health experts, including the CDC, and many state and local public health officials. The season will undoubtedly present new and additional challenges, but we are committed to playing a safe and complete 2020 season, culminating with the Super Bowl."

While there's been no official announcement regarding the particulars of the new arrangement between the players and owners, multiple reports have laid out the basics.

Among them:

• Players will have seven days to decide whether to opt out of the 2020 season, which would "toll" their contracts, basically carrying their deal into next year as though 2021 were 2020. Players considered at high risk would get a $350,000 stipend if they opt out, compared to $150,000 for those who opt out despite not being considered at high risk. Once a player opts out, the decision is irrevocable.

• Players would be paid a prorated salary in the event games needed to be canceled.

• The 2020 salary cap will remain unchanged ($198.2 million), while the 2021 cap will have a floor of $175 million.

• Any revenue losses would be made up over four years of adjusted salary caps.

• After initial testing, training camp will feature eight days of strength/conditioning/walk-throughs, four days in helmets and shells and a maximum of 14 days practicing in pads starting Aug. 17.

• There will be no preseason in 2020.

• Teams will be allowed to have 16 players on their practice squad, up from the usual 10.

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Alain Poupart
ALAIN POUPART

Alain Poupart is the publisher/editor of Miami Dolphins On SI and host of the All Dolphins Podcast. Alain has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989 for various publications and media outlets, including Dolphin Digest, The Associated Press and the Dolphins team website. In addition to being a credentialed member of the Miami Dolphins press corps, Alain has covered three Super Bowls (for NFL.com, Football News and the Montreal Gazette), the annual NFL draft, the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Scouting Combine. During his almost 40 years in journalism, which began at the now-defunct Miami News, Alain has covered practically every sport at one time or another, from tennis to golf, baseball, basketball and everything in between. The career also included time as a copy editor, including work on several books, such as "Still Perfect," an inside look at the Miami Dolphins' 1972 perfect season. A native of Montreal, Canada, whose first language is French, Alain grew up a huge hockey fan but soon developed a love for all sports, including NFL football. He has lived in South Florida since the 1980s.

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