One of the concessions to the COVID-19 pandemic from the NFL and the NFLPA is the ability for players to choose to opt-out from playing in the 2020 season.
Under the agreement reached between the NFL and the NFLPA, players have until August 3rd to choose to opt-out of the year ahead. Players deemed to be in the “high-risk” category will earn $350,000 for the upcoming season, and those not placed in that category will earn $150,000 for the year ahead.
In addition to the opt-out option, the league also created a special reserve list for players who either test positive for COVID-19 or who have been quarantined due to close contact with someone who is infected. Placement on the reserve list does not indicate if the player himself tested positive.
Kansas City Chiefs starting right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, a trained medical professional off the field, was the first player to opt-out. Here’s who has opted out from playing across the AFC North, as well as the players listed on each team’s COVID-19 reserve list.
Baltimore Ravens
Opt-out
OT Andre Smith
WR De’Anthony Thomas
COVID-19 reserve list
S Nigel Warrior
Cincinnati Bengals
Opt-out
COVID-19 reserve list
DE Kendall Futrell
Cleveland Browns
Opt-out
COVID-19 reserve list
S Jovante Moffatt
Pittsburgh Steelers
Opt-out
COVID-19 reserve list
CB Arrion Springs
