DENVER – Seasonal colds and the flu spread through NFL locker rooms just about every year, sending some players home sick while others slog through practices hoping they’ll feel better by game day.
Last December, the New England Patriots used two airplanes when they traveled to face the Houston Texans, with the intention to keep the healthy players apart from sick ones, which included seven starters. On the final weekend of the 2016 season, the Raiders were ravaged by a bug that swept through their entire roster and waylaid hopes of a deep playoff run.
Now teams have the coronavirus to worry about.
Offseason workout programs have been entirely virtual since the league closed team facilities in March because of the coronavirus pandemic, although informal workouts have taken place. Coaches began returning to their offices Friday but players not seeking treatment for injuries probably won’t be allowed to return until training camps open next month.
Many players polled by The Associated Press say they’re scared to return to work without a cure or a vaccine for the coronavirus that has infected millions worldwide and killed more than 100,000 Americans. They’re putting their trust in the health protocol the NFL’s medical staff is developing for practices to resume and games to return.