NFL Coaches Can Return To Team Facilities On Friday

On Thursday, the NFL sent out a memo to NFL teams announcing that coaches will be allowed to return to team facilities starting on Friday, June 5. 

Here’s the full memo:

“This will advise that, beginning tomorrow, June 5, coaching staffs may be among the employees returning to your facility. As has been emphasized in previous advice on reopening facilities, this may occur only if your club has otherwise received necessary permission from state and local governments to reopen its facility.

“As stated in my memo of May 28, members of the coaching staff will count toward the maximum number of permissible club employees in the facility. Beginning tomorrow, clubs may increase the number of employees in the facility to a total of 100 subject again to state and local regulation and implementation of the protocols developed under the leadership of Dr. Sills.

“Coaches and other football staff, particularly those who may be in higher risk category or who have concerns about their own health conditions, are expected to speak with club medical staff or personal physician about any special precautions or other accommodations that may appropriate for their particular circumstances. In addition, we will work with club medical staffs to implement a program of Covid-19 testing for the coaching staff and other football personnel prior to players returning to club facilities.”

Ian Rapoport reports that the NFL anticipates only the 49ers not be able to get to their facility tomorrow. Rapoport says the 49ers are aware and supportive of the plan and has been in communication with its local authorities to obtain all necessary permissions when available.

The NFL allowed teams to open facilities last week, but prevented coaches and players from being in attendance unless they were rehabbing an injury. 

This is the logical next step as the NFL works to get things ready for the start of the 2020 season. 

Minicamps are unlikely at this point, but Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported recently that the NFL is “optimistic” about holding training camps in full but is still preparing alternatives in case they’re needed.

According to Fowler, team officials he’s spoken to are “cautiously optimistic” and wouldn’t be surprised to see some dates moved around or even shorten the preseason. 

We’ll have more regarding the NFL’s plans as the news is available.