At first, there were reports that the NFL would eliminate Weeks 1 and 4 of the preseason schedule in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then it was reported that the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) instead wanted the entire exhibition schedule canceled.
The NFL was willing to limit the preseason to one game, according to other reports that surfaced on Monday. It doesn't sound like even that will happen.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Tom Pelissero, and Ian Rapoport are reporting that the NFLPA has informed players that there will be no preseason games in 2020.
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
Note: Our schedule page and the front page will be updated once the league makes an official announcement.
The San Francisco 49ers were scheduled to face the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers at home and the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears on the road.
Last year, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan explained why he felt a four-game exhibition schedule was unnecessary. While he feels two games would be the sweet spot, he prefers zero compared to four.
"You absolutely don't need four preseason games," Shanahan said. "I'd rather have zero than four, preferably I'd like two. One to evaluate the people trying to make the team and then just one to knock a little rust off."
NFL teams are also likely to see a roster limit of 80 maximum players heading into training camp, rather than the typical 90-man rosters. That means clubs will have to go through a round of cuts before camps begin to get down to that number.
Writes Nick Shook of NFL.com: "The NFL has not yet signed off on an 80-man roster for training camp, per Pelissero, and though there was a discussion on giving teams an option to divide the roster (i.e., 80 active and 10 on standby), the union told players it wanted all teams to follow one rule."
49ers rookies were scheduled to report to training camp on Tuesday. That has been pushed back to Thursday when quarterbacks and injured players were initially scheduled to report. The remaining players arrive on July 28. Of course, that doesn't mean that's when training camp will begin.
Upon arrival, players will be tested for COVID-19. They will then return home and self-quarantine. Two days later, they will return for the second round of testing. Should both tests return negative, the player will be allowed into the facility.
ESPN's Jason Reid reported on Tuesday that the NFL is planning to allow players to place decals on the back of their helmets bearing the names or initials of victims of systemic racism and police violence.
