The NFL plans to have training camps open on schedule and play its games in home stadiums _ perhaps even with fan attendance _ employing health and safety protocols for players and staff to combat a coronavirus pandemic that on Wednesday produced the highest number of infections nationwide since April.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday after a virtual meeting of team owners that there was a "lengthy discussion on our preparation for the 2020 season and our ongoing work as we prepare to open training camps on time and to get ready for games at our stadiums and then to engage our fans both in stadiums and through our media partners."
Training camps are to begin on July 28 for most teams, though rookies and certain players may report earlier. The regular-season openers are slated for Sept. 10 and NFL executive vice president and general counsel Jeff Pash said that although games are expected to be played in home stadiums, there will be contingency plans if local health officials deem them unsafe.
