NFL to reduce camp invites; camp starts are in doubt?

The NFL continues to look for the best path foward as coronavirus cases spike across the country. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: NFL to reduce camp invites to 75-80 players, camp starts are in doubt

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/2/20

As the NFL and NFL Players Association attempt to begin training camp sessions amid the coronavirus pandemic later this month, it appears there will be fewer people inside locker rooms and on fields.

On Thursday, ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted that he's learned that between 75-80 players will be invited to camps instead of the standard 90 players:

In an effort to combat COVID-19, NFL teams are likely to bring fewer than the regular 90 players they ordinarily bring to training camp, per league sources. One source is predicting 80 per team, another 75, but no one is expecting 90. More coming up on https://t.co/rDZaVFhcDQ.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 2, 2020

In his ESPN.com story, Schefter added that rising coronavirus cases and spikes throughout the country have some within the league wondering if training camps will begin on time.

Unlike with how the NBA, NHL, Major League Soccer, and the National Women's Soccer League approached return-to-play scenarios at "bubble" sites, the NFL is having teams hold camps at their home-market facilities.

The NFL and NFLPA could soon announce that the preseason, which is believed to be cut in half from four games to two, is eliminated to avoid unnecessary travel for players and other personnel.

Meanwhile, the NFL also has the option of postponing the start of the season to the middle of October. This could open the possibility of the league and players union creating a new schedule that eliminates cross-country flights, especially if clubs intend on embracing game-day travel during the campaign.

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