Fauci: NFL season may not happen unless players are 'in a bubble'

While the NFL intends to play out its 2020 campaign as scheduled, albeit likely without full stadiums, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci remains skeptical about the chances of that happening during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Unless players are essentially in a bubble - insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day - it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall," Fauci told CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

"If there is a second wave, which is certainly a possibility and which would be complicated by the predictable flu season, football may not happen this year."

Last week, the league notified all teams that the virtual offseason would be extended through June 26 with no in-person minicamps as the NFL continues to plan its return. The NFL and NFLPA are reportedly discussing the possibility of certain players returning to team facilities on a limited basis prior to training camp.

The NFL also recently released a number of protocols and testing guidelines for teams to follow, though none involved isolating players for an extended period of time.

Commissioner Roger Goodell has yet to confirm when training camps will be held, but all clubs must stay in their facilities and joint practices won't be permitted.

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