A Modest Proposal: NFL Must Allow Expanded Rosters for Seahawks, Other 31 Teams

With the proposed start date for NFL training camps quickly approaching, a large gap remains between the league and players association on several key issues trying to conduct a season during a pandemic, including testing protocols and player opt-out policies. As tweeted by Texans defensive end J.J. Watt and a host of other players, there still looks to be far more questions than answers on a number of fronts.

If you're looking for a sliver of good news, however, the two sides have agreed on a modified injured reserve list for players who test positive for COVID-19, which is a big first stepping stone towards returning to the field.

Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the NFL will adjust typical injured reserve rules to allow players who contract the virus to be sidelined for three weeks while creating an open roster spot for teams to promote a replacement. These players will receive their normal salaries while sidelined and teams will have up to three weeks to activate them back to the roster after the initial three-week window.

If the player isn't activated after six weeks, he will revert to traditional injured reserve. It remains unclear whether the player would be eligible to return later in the season under such circumstances.

While many other issues still need ironed out, establishing a unique injured list for COVID-19 provides a safeguard of sorts for all parties. Players won't have to worry about being shut down for the season or not getting paid and teams will be better equipped to handle positive tests when they inevitably occur.

But there's still a big problem that isn't addressed by this measure - one that the league and players association would be wise to tackle before kicking off camp - and it revolves around the potential for an outbreak within a position group. Along with having a new set of injured reserve rules, both sides should continue to be proactive by expanding active rosters to prepare for such a situation.

To illustrate an example of how this could play out, let's assume the Seahawks return to action later this month as scheduled. Early in the regular season, six offensive linemen test positive for the coronavirus, putting each player on the shelf for a minimum of three weeks.

No matter how many of those players who contract the virus are starters, this would create a gigantic problem for any team. Typically, 53-man rosters feature nine or 10 offensive linemen at the most, and such an outbreak would leave the team with only a handful of healthy players to suit up.

Even if Seattle promoted a couple of linemen from the practice squad, they would be left short-handed heading into their next three games and would likely have to sign free agents off the street. This would open up the possibility of Russell Wilson taking snaps behind a line with multiple players who haven't been with the team or have had minimal NFL exposure. Some would joke the six-time Pro Bowler has handled worse, but there isn't a team in the league that would want to expose its franchise quarterback to such torture.

There's going to be drop off in talent no matter what the NFL does - that's the reality of professional sports - but if they want to protect teams from such a doomsday scenario derailing their season, increasing active rosters from 53 to 65-75 players would certainly help. The league could easily open camps with 75 player rosters and eliminate cut-down days, allowing Pete Carroll and Seattle's staff to coach up an additional 20 players while preparing for the regular season.

Rather than having a normal practice squad, 60 players could be active each game and the rest of the players would be available if needed in future weeks. Under such conditions, teams like the Seahawks could carry 14-15 offensive linemen and extra players at other positions and rosters would look more college-like in numbers.

Ultimately, the NFL has bigger fish to fry while trying to get this season off the ground amid unprecedented times. But there already has been discussion about expanding practice squads as well as shrinking training camp rosters this year. Why not just merge the two plans together to make the best of a challenging situation?

Heck, in the past, coaches such as Carroll have clamored for expanded rosters without a pandemic as a motivating factor. If having more players on each team works out favorably, such an outside-the-box idea could become a permanent fixture in the future.