Saints and NFL players will report to training camps with COVID-19 on their minds
New Orleans Saints players will be reporting to team headquarters for Rookie Camp and full Saints Training camp within the next several weeks. Still there is plenty of uncertainty looming due to COVID-19.
The National Football League Players’ Association (NFLPA) has confirmed 72 NFL players have tested positive for COVID-19 as of July 10th. In what could be the latest obstacle for the NFL 2020 season, the NFL and NFLPA were haggling over coronavirus related protocol. Finally, the two have agreed regarding the procedures for managing players who test positive for COVID-19. The league was not clear on how many of almost NFL players received tests at this point. Concerns continue to linger over the NFL’s COVID-19 plan.
Texans' JJ Watt shared his concern for the lack of information given to the players. Yesterday, he shared on Twitter information he learned from various NFLPA calls and stressing that rookies are reporting to camp:
“Having everyone on the same page in terms of what we know and don’t know here are a few things I’ve learned being on four NFLPA calls in the last two weeks with hundreds of other players. Keep in mind our rookies are scheduled to report in 48 hrs”.
NFLPA Requests:
- Daily COVID-19 testing.
- The elimination of all preseason games.
- Financial and other compensation for players who opt out of playing for COVID-related reasons.
- Provision that would keep the 2021 salary cap from going down because of lost 2020 revenue.
The NFL has been virtual since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. Players have not interacted with one another in close-proximity since the entire offseason, including the NFL Draft and all team activities, were conducted in virtual environments. With issues and questions about protocols swirling, the NFL and NFLPA must hammer-out an agreement before training camp commences. They are running out of time. The NFLPA has advised against hosting live workouts, but quarterbacks across the league like Tom Brady, Kyler Murray, and Russell Wilson have participated in workouts with fellow teammates.
Sports equipment manufacturer Oakley announced the development of a new mouth shield to protect players from COVID-19 by preventing the exchange of droplets between players. Oakley teamed up with the league to combat COVID-19 and help mitigate the novel coronavirus' spread on the football field. Coronavirus is contagious and spreads through the transmission of droplets. Oakley designed the lens with sheets extended down to attach to the faceguard. There are airways and openings on the mouth shield but none that allow the direct transmission of droplets, according to the chair of the NFL’s engineering committee, Dr. Jeff Crandall. “The player feedback was integral in coming up with this design.”
Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer was looking for a product design that provided protection without interfering with performance. “That’s what we will encourage,” said Dr. Allen Sills, “And we hope that we’re going to land on a product design that’s something that everyone would want to wear because they’ll see the value and want that additional protection with no detriment to performance.”
Rules will have to change regarding the procedures for mitigating players who test positive for COVID-19. The league plans to alter the rules and protocols by creating a COVID-19 classification.
New Orleans Saints on Twitter: twitter.com
In March, Saints' Head Coach Sean Payton became the first member of the NFL community to test positive for COVID-19. Coach Payton did a number of interviews discussing his symptoms and how he recovered through medical treatment, rest, and quarantining.
