NFL players will be tested daily for at least the first two weeks of training camp, a source said, as the result of an agreement between the league and the NFL Players Association reached Monday.
After two weeks, the league will scale back testing only if the overall positive rate is below 5 percent. Otherwise, daily testing will continue at any point that the rate is above 5 percent.
Testing was one of the major issues on the negotiating table for the league and the union, who met through the weekend and again Monday. Rookies from two teams — the Texans and Chiefs — were allowed to check into with their clubs Monday, while the other 30 teams can have rookies back as soon as Tuesday.
Testing, however, will likely prevent any real activity for a few days. Players will have to test negative twice during a certain period in order to be allowed in the building. Reports late Monday indicated that a player must test positive twice over four days before being admitted to the team facility on Day 5.
Our statement on Covid-19 testing procedures: pic.twitter.com/6mYF3aK0jm
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) July 20, 2020
Training camp can begin July 28 — though practices might not take place for weeks afterward, depending on whether both sides agree to an acclimation period to make up for the lack of offseason workouts. The union is pushing for the cancellation of all four preseason games to allow for the ramp-up, while owners would like at least one.
Players had pushed for daily testing upon returning to work, starting a Twitter campaign Sunday to try to push owners toward an agreement. Ownership wanted tests every other day.
