Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians to wear mask, shield on sideline

Bruce Arians was never going to opt out of the 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach revealed Tuesday that he plans to wear a mask and shield on the sideline this season as a precaution against COVID-19.

"I'm very comfortable with our protocols now that I've gotten used to the protocols," Arians said, according to theScore's Jack Browne. "We had a week of staff meetings where we went through the protocols, how to teach with a mask on, and all of the things that we are going to do differently.

"I'm very, very comfortable with it. As far as on the field, I'll maintain a mask and probably a shield just for personal use, and coach like I've always coached."

Arians, who beat cancer three times, is at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection. With Tom Brady on board for the season, the Bucs have great chances of making it to the Super Bowl, so it's not hard to see why Arians still wants to coach. 

We've seen many players around the NFL opt out of the season, including six New England Patriots players. It doesn't seem likely that many Bucs players will sit out the season with such great Super Bowl odds, but that could change. 

The NFL will face the same challenges as Major League Baseball when the season begins. The Miami Marlins have had over 15 members of their organization test positive for COVID-19, and their season currently is in jeopardy. 

With football rosters holding far more players than a baseball roster, the health risks only become larger. NFL teams won't be playing preseason games this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, though it seems like they are preparing for a full regular-season schedule.