The NFLPA medical director, Dr. Thom Mayer, has issued a statement advising that NFL players no longer organize practices together, like the ones that San Francisco 49ers players held this past week in the Nashville, Tennessee area.
Those throwing sessions, organized by quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and had 15 other players participating, resulted in a positive test for the COVID-19 virus. The 49ers did not reveal the player who tested positive. All of the practice participants have submitted to tests for the virus and are awaiting the results. None can travel until those results are known.
The nation is amid a pandemic, which prevents players from utilizing team facilities and meeting face-to-face with coaches.
Videos and photos from the 49ers' sessions at the Brentwood Academy show players without face masks and not observing social distancing during the workouts.
The following is Dr. Mayer's statement:
"Please be advised that it is our consensus medical opinion that in light of the increase in Covid-19 cases in certain states that no players should be engaged in practicing together in private workouts. Our goal is to have all players and your families as healthy as possible in the coming months.
"We are working on the best mitigation procedures at team facilities for both training camps and the upcoming season, and believe that it is in the best interest of all players that we advise against any voluntary joint practices before training camp commences."
A message to players from NFLPA Medical Director, Dr. Thom Mayer: pic.twitter.com/4IGlEBhRr9
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) June 20, 2020
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers confirmed on Saturday that individuals at their facilities have tested positive for COVID-19. The facility has closed, will be sanitized, and those who may have been exposed are being quarantined for 14 days.
Other known teams impacted by positive tests for COVID-19 this offseason include the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, and Washington.