Report: NFL could hold June minicamps; HCs set to return to facilities
Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.
NFL head coaches could return to team facilities as early as next week, sources told Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson, and if coaches are cleared to return, minicamps including players reportedly may be scheduled as early as June 15 or as late as June 27.
One of Robinson's sources said the crucial obstacle in determining whether minicamps will take place is whether California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs off on full team operations without fans in attendance.
"If California is open for (team) operations soon, minicamps can still happen in June - probably late June, I'd think - but maybe even mid-June," the league source said.
Newsom recently said his state is hoping to allow sports events beginning in the first week of June, though he stressed it remains a target date. He also added that "modifications and very prescriptive conditions" would be required to host events in California.
While the gears for a return to work appear to be in motion, NFL Players Association president and Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter said Tuesday that negotiations with union officials have yet to be completed.
Players: our union has not agreed to any reopening plan. Any reports about coming back to work are hypothetical. You will hear from the NFLPA when there are new developments.
- JC Tretter (@JCTretter) May 26, 2020
The NFL also stressed that it's "not putting dates on a potential return" for players.
"We have been and will continue working hand in hand with the NFLPA," said league spokesman Brian McCarthy, per Albert Breer of MMQB. "We will base our decisions on the latest medical advice and in compliance with local and state guidelines."
It's unclear if the NFL would push back the start of training camp in July if minicamps began at the end of June, two weeks later than usual.
Clubs around the league have been slowly reopening facilities of late, though only in a limited capacity.
Copyright (C) 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.