Nell Redmond / Associated Press
Some NFL teams have changed their plans for training camps for Sunday based on “irregularities in results” from COVID-19 tests that took place Saturday for evaluation in a lab in New Jersey.
Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network provided a statement from the league:
Here’s a look at updated news from team and national reporters:
- Chicago Bears: Exercise delayed until 1:30 local time (Adam High of NBC Chicago)
- Cleveland Browns: Exercise canceled (Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network)
- Green Bay Packers: Exercise takes place according to schedule (Bill Huber fan Sports Illustrated)
- New York Giants: Exercise stays scheduled for 1 hour local time (Ralph Vacchiano fan SNY)
- New York Jets: Exercise took place according to schedule (Vacchiano)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Exercise as Schedule (Jenna Laine from ESPN)
The NFL opened training camps on time in July after moving the entire offseason program into a virtual format due to the coronavirus pandemic. The preseason was canceled due to limited interactions on a large scale until the start of the regular season in September.
Here is some further information that comes from Sunday’s developments:
IG: JosinaAnderson @JosinaAnderson
A Browns source told me when reporting to the facility this am for a normal practice day, they were told to just take their CoVID test & go home until further notice. Following this, staff and players on a zoom call w / t HC were told that several NFL teams may have issues with / test results.
Jay Skurski @JaySkurski
#Bills GM Brandon Beane announces the team that some players have tested positive for Covid. The team will keep some players out of practice, believing it’s a lab problem – meaning the possibility of false positives exists. Beane says the problem affects 10 or 11 other teams.
IN statement from the Cleveland Browns:
“After consistently encouraging results from daily tests received since returning to the facility in July, the Clevand Browns’ COVID-19 test process yesterday demonstrated multiple individual presumptive positive cases involving players, coaches and support staff. Although, we have received indications from the NFL that they are investigating irregularities in lab results that have affected other clubs as well, out of an overabundance of caution, we will follow our comprehensive infectious disease plan immediately and pause any activity in our building today. conduct meetings virtually.
“Per trial, the team is also checking for close-up data for contact detection and instructed self-isolation for those who test positive and others as appropriate, although they all remain asymptomatic. Our facility is currently undergoing in-depth testing and disinfection processing and is closed to all staff for the day. We will provide updates as test results are confirmed and more information is available. “
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in June the league understood more positive tests would emerge and stated that the league was ready to adjust plans as needed.
“And again, we expect to have positive tests,” Goodell said told reporters. “That’s part of the increased testing we’re going to go through.”
He added: “The protocols are strict. They are designed to be that, because they are for the safety of our players and staff, including coaches. We will evolve as circumstances change. We will change our protocols appropriately.”
Allen Sills, the NFL’s Chief Medical Officer, describe the league’s efforts as a “very ambitious test program” later in June.
So far, the NFL has managed to prevent widespread outbreaks within its 32 teams.
The 2020 regular season is scheduled to begin Sept. 10 when reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium.
Super Bowl LV is set for February 7, 2021, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
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