NFL Cancels Preseason And Reduces Team Roster Size For Training Camp
As reported last week, the NFL announced that 72 players tested positive for COVID-19. Now Sports Illustrated is saying that the total is up to 95. That number isn’t all players, though. The count is 59 players, and the rest are staff members.
Among those with the virus are Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and Broncos pass rusher Von Miller.
USA Today is also reporting that the NFL Players Association and the league’s owners have decided to scrap the 2020 preseason. They will also reduce the size of training camp rosters. The outlet states, “The two sides agreed to eliminate all four weeks of preseason one day after the owners offered to meet the demands of the players to do so.”
“Owners originally wanted to reduce the preseason from four to two games, but the NFLPA argued that a full August schedule would make it impossible for them to have the adequate acclimation period recommended by the joint medical task force and that it was unnecessary to subject players to travel-related risk of contracting the coronavirus for exhibition games.”
They lastly add that each team will have rosters of 80 players, down from the usual 90.
