Currently, the outlook for the upcoming NFL season seems positive. However, some recent developments around the league have started to cause some worry about what the 2020 season will look like.
Earlier in June, the Cowboys and other clubs around the NFL welcomed their head coaches and staff back to team facilities, and training camps seemed like they would not be far off.
Governors in several states announced that stadiums would be allowed to host fans at games.
Texas Governor, Greg Abbot, said he would allow 45,000 fans to attend games at AT&T Stadium this season.
The news coming out of the NFL concerning Covid-19 seemed positive, but in the last week the positive news was replaced with some worrisome developments. Several players on the Texans and Cowboys were diagnosed with Covid-19, including Cowboys running back, Ezekiel Elliot, who is doing well.
Other teams around the league have also reported members of their organization being tested positive for Covid-19, including Tampa Bay and San Francisco.
This recent outbreak among NFL players has some thinking the 2020 season may not happen the way fans want it to.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has stated that for football to happen, the teams would have to isolate their players to prevent the spread of disease.
“Unless players are essentially in a bubble, insulated from the community, and tested every day. It would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall. If there is a second wave, which is certainly a possibility, football may not happen this year” said Fauci.
Despite that grim outlook, league officials are still positive they can make the season happen with the proper protocols in place.
Allen Stills, NFL Chief Medical Officer, responded to Fauci’s comments with his own statement.
“We will make adjustments as necessary to meet the public health environment as we prepare to play the 2020 season as scheduled with increased protocols and safety measures for all players, personnel, and attendees.”
The NFL Players Association also released a statement on June 20th asking players to avoid group workouts. A shortened pre-season and the expansion of practice squads has also been discussed on order to help offset the loss of crucial workout time missed by teams.
Ohio Governor, Mike DeWine, has also expressed concerns over the Hall of Fame game, which hosts the Steelers and Cowboys, on August 6th. The NFL is still planning on having the game, but DeWine is concerned the state will not be ready to host the crowds.
With the recent developments around the country, it is easy to start worrying about the upcoming season, but since the NFL has not altered the schedule yet fans can only hope for the best.
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