The NFL has taken extensive precautions this offseason to avoid a COVID-19 outbreak among its players. Unfortunately, with training camp just over a month away, multiple players from the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys have reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus.
Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys players tested positive for COVID-19
Just days after the NFL announced strict social distancing guidelines for when players report to training camp, everyone quickly found out exactly why teams will need to follow extreme restrictions.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, multiple Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys players recently tested positive for the coronavirus.
According to Rapoport, Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is among the players to test positive for COVID-19. Fortunately, following the test, he is feeling good.
Fortunately, neither club believes any of the players with the virus have been inside the team’s facility. However, it does demonstrate how easily the virus can spread and the looming danger that could hit during the 2020 NFL season.
While the identities of the players aren’t known, they aren’t the first to test positive for the coronavirus in the NFL. Denver Broncos star Von Miller, Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen and New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton all tested positive for the coronavirus this offseason. Thankfully, all have since recovered from the virus.
The NFL isn’t expected to allow players to report to team facilities until the middle of July. Once there, the league will likely require its personnel to take multiple COVID-19 tests per week.
Between the NFL’s safety protocols, which NFL coaches have pushed back on, and the number of COVID-19 tests likely required, the upcoming season will prove to be very difficult for the league. However, it’s the steps that need to be taken for there to be a 2020 NFL season. Otherwise, as one team doctor warned, the NFL would be devastated by a second wave of the coronavirus.