Some Buffalo Bills players, along with a number of NFL players, expressed concern about player safety on Sunday with training camps close to opening.
Training camp is close to opening with rookies expected to report this week and there is still a number of questions that are left to be answered. On Sunday, NFL players, along with some Buffalo Bills players, expressed those concerns using the hashtag #WeWantToPlay.
Two of those players that expressed their concerns was Bills safety Micah Hyde and new Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs. This is not the first time that Diggs has expressed concerned about players’ safety and earlier this month said ” I’d be lying if I said I was comfortable starting back up.”
If the NFL doesn’t do their part to keep players healthy there is no football in 2020. It’s that simple. #WeWantToPlay
— Micah Hyde (@micah_hyde) July 19, 2020
If #AdamSilver can respect the voices and protect his @NBA players why can’t @NFLcommish do the same? Listen to your players. If we want to have a full season it will have to look different with OUR safety as the priority. @NFL make the necessary changes. #WeWantToPlay
— DIGGS (@stefondiggs) July 19, 2020
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network provided context behind the numerous tweets from NFL players about safety concerns. He wrote in a tweet that medical experts recommended a 21-day acclimation period and the NFL asked players to report two weeks early, which the Players Association rejected.
Another sticking point is that the NFLPA made a recommendation of no preseason games this year while the NFL wants to move forward with two.
Translating the #WeWantToPlay posts you're seeing now: Joint medical committee recommended a 21-day acclimation period. NFL asked players to show up 2 weeks early to accomodate it; NFLPA said no. NFL shortened acclimation period to accommodate 2 preseason games. Union wants 0.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 19, 2020
Right now, the NFL is moving forward with opening training camp over the next week or so with rookies expected to report on July 21st, quarterbacks and injured players reporting July 23rd and all other players on July 28th. The only two teams that could report earlier are the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs due to these two teams scheduled to open the 2020 season on Thursday night on September 10th.
The Buffalo Bills will open their season at home three days later on September 13th against the New York Jets.
NFLPA President JC Tretter, who is a center for the Cleveland Browns, also sent out a tweet explaining the union’s stance. It will be interesting if the two sides are able to come to an agreement or what changes may take place.