Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that NFL teams may be required to limit the number of players who participate in training camps across the league when they begin later this month. At least, they are scheduled to start later this month. That would mean as many as 10 to 15 players from each team's 90-player roster might have to sit out meetings and on-field work.
The idea is, of course, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as the NFL continues to search for ways to increase the safety of its players and the chances of an uninterrupted season.
"One source said he believed it's likely that teams will go to camp with 80-man rosters," writes Schefter, "and another source said it's 'definitely not 90.' A third league source said he has 'heard lots of discussion about 75 players potentially instead of 90,' especially with the reduction in preseason games and teams not needing as many players for camp as normal."
The plan is in addition to the NFL considering expanding practice squads to 16-20 players in the event of an outbreak and requiring rosters to split into two groups with each practicing at different times.
The NFL already reportedly seeks to reduce the preseason from four games per team to two. Although, that has not been made official as the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has yet to sign off on the plan. The players union would prefer no preseason games be played ahead of the 2020 regular season, according to the report from Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
There are also concerns about whether or not training camps can even start on time with virus cases across the country spiking, so in the end, none of these ideas may matter.