Just days after Kansas City Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif became the first NFL player to opt-out of the 2020 season, a wave of players will now be joining him by voluntarily sitting out the upcoming season.
After Baltimore Ravens returner De’Anthony Thomas and Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Chance Warmack announced they would sit out this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, three more NFL players will now be joining them.
Dallas Cowboys CB Maurice Canady opts-out of 2020 season
The Dallas Cowboys learned Monday that cornerback Maurice Canady, who they signed this offseason, is exercising his opt-out clause for the upcoming season.
Canady, a former sixth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets in 2019. He was expected to serve as depth in Dallas’ secondary this year.
Washington’s DL Caleb Brantley becomes first high-risk player to opt-out
While the NFL is still finalizing the opt-out clause for players this year, it is differentiating between high-risk players and those who voluntarily sit out the season. On Monday, Washington Football Team’s defensive lineman Caleb Brantley became the first player high-risk player to exercise the opt-out clause.
Brantley, a sixth-round pick in 2017, joined Washington in 2018. He spent the 2019 season on injured reserve but re-signed with the club this spring. He will receive an accrued season for his contract because of his medical risks for COVID-19.
New England Patriots FB Danny Vitale opts out of 2020 season
After signing with the New England Patriots, fullback Danny Vitale will not take part in the upcoming football season.
Vitale’s agent, Leigh Steinberg told USA Today’s Jarrett Bell that Vitale will take the voluntary opt-out clause after he and his wife recently welcomed a newborn baby.
Because Vitale is sitting out voluntarily, he will only receive a $150,000 stipend this year and his $1.3 million contract will toll into the 2021 season.