NFL opt-out tracker: Williams, Solder latest to decide to sit out
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the sports landscape, the NFL announced a two-tier opt-out plan in which players can choose not to participate in the 2020 campaign by Aug. 4 and earn a stipend for the year.
Kansas City Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif became the first player to opt out of the upcoming season on the same day the league's return-to-play plan was approved by the NFLPA.
The New England Patriots have been impacted the most in the early stages, as star linebacker Dont'a Hightower, safety Patrick Chung, and starting right tackle Marcus Cannon won't suit up this season.
On Wednesday, two big-name players - Chiefs running back Damien Williams and New York Giants left tackle Nate Solder - announced they would also opt out.
Here is the full list of players who have elected to sit out thus far:
| Player | Pos. | Team |
|---|---|---|
| De'Anthony Thomas | WR/KR | Baltimore Ravens |
| Andre Smith | OT | Baltimore Ravens |
| Star Lotulelei | DT | Buffalo Bills |
| Jordan Mack | LB | Carolina Panthers |
| Eddie Goldman* | DT | Chicago Bears |
| Drew Forbes | G | Cleveland Browns |
| Maurice Canady | CB | Dallas Cowboys |
| Stephen Guidry | WR | Dallas Cowboys |
| Kyle Peko | DT | Denver Broncos |
| John Atkins | DT | Detroit Lions |
| Larry Warford* | G | Free agent |
| Devin Funchess* | WR | Green Bay Packers |
| Eddie Vanderdoes* | DT | Houston Texans |
| Damien Williams | RB | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Laurent Duvernay-Tardif | G | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Michael Pierce | DT | Minnesota Vikings |
| Dont'a Hightower | LB | New England Patriots |
| Patrick Chung | S | New England Patriots |
| Marcus Cannon | OT | New England Patriots |
| Brandon Bolden* | RB | New England Patriots |
| Dan Vitale | FB | New England Patriots |
| Najee Toran | OL | New England Patriots |
| Cole Wick* | TE | New Orleans Saints |
| Jason Vander Laan | TE | New Orleans Saints |
| Nate Solder | OT | New York Giants |
| Leo Koloamatangi* | OL | New York Jets |
| Marquise Goodwin | WR | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Chance Warmack | G | Seattle Seahawks |
| Anthony McKinney* | OL | Tennessee Titans |
| Caleb Brantley | DT | Washington Football Team |
* denotes a reported decision
Copyright (C) 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.