NFLPA medical director optimistic COVID-19 won't affect season

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NFL Players Association medical director Thom Mayer said Monday he's hopeful the 2020 season will take place despite the coronavirus pandemic that's forced other major sports leagues to shut down.

"So OTAs, probably not going to happen. As you know, the clubs are closed for now and will remain closed for a while. But I'm very optimistic," Mayer said.

Mayer said on "The Adam Schefter Podcast" the league and the players' union will know more about the viability of playing this season as scheduled in late May or early June.

The medical director, who was the command physician at the Pentagon on 9/11, said every NFL team is located near a COVID-19 hotspot, with the possible exception of the Green Bay Packers.

"So all that stuff on our side is going through, and obviously we've encouraged the league to do their side and to provide a safe environment, including how do we play games and what that might look like," Mayer said. "So I'm optimistic by nature. We're smart people in America, and I think we can get this done."

All NFL teams were told to close their facilities until at least April 8 in a response to the ongoing pandemic.

The 2020 draft is set to go ahead as scheduled April 23-25, though the NFL has yet to confirm its plans for the presentation following the decision not to hold public events in Las Vegas.

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