The NFL and NFLPA still are at odds about the plan for players to return to facilities at the end of July, and, according to the NFLPA database, the first round of player testing results for the coronavirus are complete and submitted.
According to the players association, 72 NFL players were known to have tested positive for the coronavirus as of July 10. While the number might seem high, it should be put into context.
Not every player in the league has been tested, but estimating 32 traditional 90-man training camp rosters would give you a number of 2,880 NFL players, which means the 72 represent 2.5% of the league's players.
In that context, 72 positive tests, or just 2.5% of the players, is not as bad as many expected. Will more players get tested in the meantime? If they are smart, they will do just that to help prevent players who test positive from reporting to training camp and causing a spread throughout a facility.
According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, the data on the NFLPA website is even broken down by area, and Florida is obviously a "hot spot."
"The NFLPA has made this information public on its website, which also provides players a market-by-market look at how the virus has been spreading in cities where camps are scheduled to open later this month. The map on the site is based on 14-day averages of new positive tests and currently shows Miami as the "hottest" virus spot among NFL markets, with 4,164 average daily cases over the past two weeks. Close behind are Los Angeles, Arizona and Dallas."
Another factor to consider in the return to play policy for the NFL is the fact rosters might be trimmed. If 90-man rosters are trimmed to 75, it would decrease the number of players needing to be tested, and the potential positive results as well.
The NFL and NFLPA are slated to meet by the end of the week for another round of negotiations, but on the surface these initial results are promising.
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