NFL may allow rookies, veterans who changed teams to return to facilities early
The NFL season, hopefully, will get underway as scheduled in August amid the coronavirus pandemic, and while no dates have been set yet for minicamps, there's a possibility for certain players to return to team facilities before others.
Rookies and veterans who have changed teams and need physicals may be allowed to return to facilities on a limited basis beginning on June 26, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ordered all team facilities to close in March, but it seems the league has made progress on fully reopening them.
The NFL and players' union sent a memo to all 32 teams Monday outlining full reopening procedures for practice facilities with protocols focusing on screening, testing, infection prevention and treatment for COVID-19.
A tiered approach will be taken for team facilities with players, coaches, trainers, physicians and the head equipment manager being allowed to return during Tier 1. The second tier will consist of ownership, facility staff, additional coaches, equipment personnel and other members of the staff. Tier 3 will include essential facility, stadium and event staff that don't require close contact with individuals in Tier 1.
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