NFL Notes: 2020 Season, Opt-Outs, Practice Squad

July 26, 2020

Ben Volin of the Boston Globe says that while COVID-19 won’t be classified as a non-football injury for players who test positive this season, there are exceptions.
Positive tests during the initial screening when players report will be classified as non-football injuries and if a team can prove a player caught the virus by acting irresponsibly, it can put him on the NFI list and go after his salary.
Volin notes that players with rate incentives, like 70 percent of the snaps, will still be able to earn those if the season is shortened. However, players with incentives for raw totals like passing yards will still have to hit those numbers to earn those incentives.
Volin writes if the season is canceled during training camp, players who earned an accrued season in 2019, plus all rookies, will receive a $250,000 stipend. Every player’s contract will toll to 2021.
Non-rookies who didn’t play a full 2019 season will receive a $50,000 stipend in that scenario.
If the season is canceled after it starts, players on the active roster are eligible for a $300,000 stipend reduced by whatever they’ve already earned. Players on the practice squad can receive $100,000, minus what they have earned. Contracts will not toll as long as one game is played.

Ben Volin of the Boston Globe says all players who opt out of the 2020 season will have their contracts toll to 2021. However, players who are classified as high-risk will earn an accrued season for benefits, free agency and minimum salary. All players who opt out will keep their health insurance.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport says any player who tests positive for COVID-19 is immediately placed on a temporary injured reserve and must receive medical clearance to come off.
In that scenario, teams will be able to move a practice squad player to the roster as a replacement and then shuttle them back to the practice squad without having to go through waivers.