As North America’s major pro sports continue preparations to play amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL is reportedly focusing its efforts on a “robust” testing and contact tracing strategy to keep its players safe and healthy.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero provided some insight Wednesday into how the NFL will approach player safety protocols. Per Pelissero, NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills is focusing on testing and contract tracing as opposed to trying to quarantine players like other leagues’ “bubble” approach.
The NHL and NBA have also been developing extensive testing strategies as they take aim at resuming their seasons later this summer, but have chosen to go the route of quarantining their players and staff in one neutral bubble site (or, for the NHL, two hub cities) — a strategy that simply doesn’t feel plausible for the NFL.
The NFL’s first pre-season game is scheduled for Aug. 6, while the 2020 campaign is set to kick off on Sept. 10. So far, no delays have been announced.
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