NFL teams now officially know some important dates in regards to training camp.
On Friday at a league meeting, it was announced that rookies will report on July 21. Just two days later, quarterbacks and injured players are set to arrive at camp while all other players are required to report on July 28.
These dates, which apply to all franchises except for Houston and Kansas City, are being put on the schedule to allow teams to put their plans into place in preparing for the 2020 season, a season that the NFL intends to complete in full despite the COVID-19 pandemic that is still far from under control.
The announcement comes as many states with NFL teams — specifically Arizona, Florida and Texas — have been experiencing record rises in cases over the past few weeks, amplifying concerns about how clubs in those regions will be able to start training camps at the end of the month.
While the NFL has been relatively unbothered by the coronavirus during its offseason program, the league is facing its first bumps in the road as they try to come to agreements on testing and safety protocols with the NFLPA. Players also have concerns about how COVID-19 testing will impact contracts, and the exact number of preseason games that will be played.