The San Francisco 49ers and the other 31 NFL teams across the league may each be allowed only 80 total players on their roster at the start of training camp. That was one of several updates provided by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network that came from a call on Tuesday with the NFL Players Association.
Right now, the maximum number of players allowed on each team's roster is 90. That means each will need to make some cuts to get down to the lower roster limit before training camp begins.
Some other updates from Pelissero include the NFL's offer to eliminate the entire preseason leading to the 2020 regular season, a push for a longer ramp-up period in training camp, opt-out conditions for those who prefer not to play during the coronavirus pandemic, and money concerns.
Updates from NFLPA call with players tonight:
- No preseason games in 2020
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 21, 2020
- Union still pushing for longer ramp-up period in camp
- Roster sizes expected to be 80 to start camp
- General agreement on voluntary and high-risk opt-out
- General agreement on stipend if games lost
San Francisco's rookies are scheduled to report on Thursday for COVID-19 testing along with the team's four quarterbacks and any injured players. The rest of the roster will arrive next week. Players will then need to self-quarantine and go through a second round of testing a few days later. If both tests return negative, those players will finally be allowed into the team's facility.
If 10 fewer players per team go to #NFL training camps that means lost opportunities for those. But if practice-squad spots are increased, more under-the-radar players will ultimately have jobs and better chances to prove themselves once the season begins.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) July 21, 2020
It was reported on Tuesday that the NFL is proposing a new ramp-up schedule for training camps. It would not see players suiting up with pads until the 20th day of camp.
