Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos All-Pro LB Von Miller considered opting out of NFL season

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/4/20

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller told reporters on Tuesday he considered opting out of the 2020 NFL season held amid the worsening coronavirus pandemic.

The 31-year-old selected to eight Pro Bowl teams and named First-Team All-Pro on three occasions battled the coronavirus earlier this spring, and his situation is made worse by the fact that he suffers from asthma.

Per ESPN's Jeff Legwold, Miller said:

" ... I thought about all of my family, I took serious consideration and the things that could possibly happen. It's not a 100 percent bubble like basketball, so there are always going to be holes, but I felt like the job the Broncos were doing to keep us safe was enough for me not to opt out.''

Miller has openly discussed his COVID-19 experience on several occasions since April.

On Tuesday, he said that he dropped 15 pounds, temporarily lost his senses of taste and smell, and was unable to fully get his wind back "probably for two or three weeks after the virus."

Miller added:

"I just thought about it, I just really through about all the things that could possibly happen. I thought about this season is different, I thought about — I weighed the positives and negatives and just came to my own decision that I could play. But I thought about me having asthma ... I feel like every player should do that, I feel like every player should think about everything they could do.''

Thus far, Denver right tackle Ja'Wuan James and defensive tackle Kyle Peko have opted out. Early Tuesday morning, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero tweeted players can elect to opt out beyond Thursday's league deadline but only if personal situations change after Aug. 6.

Only two ways an NFL player can opt out of the 2020 season after the 4 p.m. ET Thursday deadline:

- New diagnosis he has a high-risk condition

- Player’s family member dies, is hospitalized or otherwise moves to a medical facility because of COVID-19 or related condition
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 4, 2020