As the clock ticks toward the NFL training grounds, players continue to express anxiety about what exactly the league’s plan is to tackle the game amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
JJ Watt increased pressure on the NFL on Thursday. The five-time Houston Texans All-Pro passbacker tweeted a list of specific concerns based on recent calls with the NFL Players Association.
In short, Watt says that players want to play, but remain in the dark about COVID-19’s basic planning. Meanwhile, the training ground is on the horizon. The rookies plan to report on July 19 and the full camps will begin on July 28.
In the interest of having everyone on the same page in terms of what we know and what we don’t know right now, here are a few things I’ve learned from four NFLPA calls in the past two weeks with hundreds of other players.
Please note that our newbies are scheduled to report within 48 hours pic.twitter.com/wAH1XyQenf
– JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 16, 2020
Watt already threatened to stay out
Thursday was not the first time that Watt had expressed concern about the league’s planned coronavirus season. He said in early July that he was concerned about the obligation to wear a face shield and that he could be left out if there is a mandate.
Behind closed doors, Watt joined Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers and others on NFLPA calls to ask what the plan is. You are now releasing those topics in specific detail.
The preseason status remains unclear
On July 1, the NFL made plans to cut the preseason in half from four games to two. Reports immediately continued to question that plan, signaling the player’s desire to cut the preseason entirely.
According to Watt, there is no clarity on that front as preseason games are still slated to begin on August 13.
How will the league protect players?
Watt also says that players don’t know what the plan is in the event of a COVID-19 emergency. They do not know what the basic preventive health protocols will be like. They don’t know how the inevitable COVID-19 infections will affect the lists and contracts. They don’t know what training camp will look like in less than two weeks.
JJ Watt is increasing pressure on the NFL to come up with a plan. (Scott Winters / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
These issues have been on the table
Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reported on July 10 that many of these unresolved issues were being discussed among players, in addition to significant differences between players and owners on how to share the burden of the financial impact of the pandemic.
Six days later, it appears that no progress has been made.
The league has reportedly implemented a ban on exchanging T-shirts after the game. So there it is.
The bottom line in terms of player safety is that there is no simple answer to protect players during a pandemic involving an airborne illness. There is no social distancing in American football. The risk of COVID-19 is inherent.
Those who hope that the NFL presents a cure for all should prepare for disappointment.
