The NFL and NFLPA are discussing eliminating two preseason games in 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. That report comes from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, who also said training camp start dates and content could be impacted.
Teams and players have been working out individually and informally since the shutdowns began in March, and official offseason programs have been cancelled. That includes weightlifting, conditioning, and other offseason work designed to ward off injuries. The move to eliminate the preseason games would give a couple more weeks to players to get back into playing shape in a highly structured environment.
This would also give local municipalities and health officials two more weeks to finalize procedures for teams and possibly fans in certain situations.
Also according to Pelissero, teams might be allowed to have an earlier report time for training camp to make up for some of the lost offseason workouts.
“Let’s go back to 2011, coming out of the lockout, there was a rash of injuries league statistically, hamstrings, Achilles injuries, and guys just coming back in not the best of shape,” said Pelissero.
Training camp for the Buffalo Bills and NFL teams league wide is going to be very different in 2020 and the preseason could be impacted by it.