The NFL has not set a date yet when players are able to return to team facilities in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. This could lead to a potentially shortened preseason, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The league and the players’ association is trying to maneuver how to bring players back safely, who have not had any on-field work this offseason because of the pandemic.
The league has come up with protocols for team facilities when players do return, but a date has not been set and game days have not been figured out yet.
July 28 is when most training camps would normally begin. If that is when players return, there would only be about two weeks to get ready for the first preseason game and that could lead to injuries because of the lack of acclimation.
Of course, cutting the preseason by two games would cause the league to lose two games of revenue, which would contribute to a drop in the salary cap in 2021 and beyond. As it is, if fans are unable to attend games this season, it could lead to a drop of at least $40 million in the cap in 2021.
The Cardinals’ first two preseason games are on the road against Green Bay Packers and at home against the Kansas City Chiefs.
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