A limited number of NFL teams reopened their training facilities Tuesday, but many are prohibited from doing so by government restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.
Commissioner Roger Goodell gave the 32 clubs the go-ahead for limited reopenings as long as state and local municipalities allow them. Coaching staffs and all players except those undergoing injury rehabilitation are barred from the facilities in the first phase of the league's plan.
With such states as California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Washington still under heavy restrictions, that immediately leaves 12 franchises unable to use their facilities. The Raiders, headed for Las Vegas for the upcoming season, still have their training complex in Alameda, California.
The Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans chose not to reopen Tuesday. The Cincinnati Bengals expect to reopen Wednesday. The Jacksonville Jaguars have set May 26 for reopening, and the Denver Broncos also are targeting next week.
Among the teams taking advantage of using their buildings on the first day allowed: the Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs.
AP file photo by John Bazemore / Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and the offense prepare to run a play during a training camp practice for the 2019 NFL season in Flowery Branch, Ga. Several NFL teams, including the Falcons, reopened their training facilities Tuesday, but many are prohibited from doing so by government restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic."We've spent the entire quarantine period preparing to reopen," the Colts wrote in a released statement. "But it will be very gradual and deliberate. And of course we're taking steps to make sure we're in compliance with state and local regulations, and NFL and CDC guidelines."
That means primarily employees that must be in the office to do their jobs: people who need to access files that are only at the office, maintenance workers, trainers and technology workers.
Those people will have their temperatures taken when entering the building and must wear personal protective equipment. The Colts have set up one-way hallways with arrows on the carpet pointing to the proper direction, and there will be limits on how many people can be in rooms at the same time.
Coach Frank Reich was realistic about a full return to the training complex.
"The guys who have been hurt, who have been coming into the building, keep coming in and rehabbing and doing their thing," he said. "Our trainers have done a great job of keeping up with everybody. I feel good about the progress that each one of our injured guys is making. Other than that, as soon as we can get more players in the building - we want that to make up for a little bit of lost time. The sooner we can get together and get out there working, the better it will be."
The Pittsburgh Steelers were doing a soft reopening Tuesday mainly for medical personnel and rehabbing players. They expect to ramp up use of their facility next week under league guidelines.
As the Cardinals reopen, only essential staffers will be involved, far fewer than the 75 allowed at the facility. The Chiefs, the reigning Super Bowl champions, also opted for a soft opening.
The Falcons did a soft opening, too, with only about 15 people at their complex on Tuesday. Those numbers will increase over the next week.
"The fact that some teams can get in today with limited staff in nonfootball functions, we didn't think in any way, shape or form that created a competitive balance issue," said Falcons president Rich McKay, who also is co-chairman of the NFL's powerful competition committee.
The Falcons train in Flowery Branch, about 45 miles from their downtown stadium.
"There's one entrance to come in and out of. There's all the social distancing to be complied with," McKay explained. "Everyone's temperature is checked at the door, and you're asked a series of questions. Everyone must put gloves on and wear a mask the whole time unless they're alone in a closed office. We don't have the cafeteria open. We don't have the team meeting rooms open.
"As we move around the building, we'll see if there are areas that give us a challenge and go from there."
The Texans sent less than 10 people to their facility, and said, "We are considering this Phase Zero which will lead in to Phase 1 (up to 70 to 75 people) in the future."
The Vikings are one of the teams to delay their return to their facility. Star receiver Adam Thielen said it's important not to rush things.
"When they say it's OK," he said of when he anticipates players being approved to enter team facilities.
"I'm not paid to know when that is, but when they say it's OK to be back and the facilities open up to players, I'll be there and I'll be comfortable with it. I'm trying to control what I can control. That is not one of those things that I can control. For me, I'm leaving it up to the professionals, and when they say we can go back and we can start practicing, I'll be there and I'll be excited to be back."
Goodell has extended virtual workouts for teams through most of June. All of the clubs normally would be having organized team activities, which are voluntary, at this time.
AP file photo by Elise Amendola / Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, clearly doesn't want to waste time getting ready for a new season with a new club.Brady already busy
TAMPA, Fla. - Tom Brady isn't letting the pandemic - or NFL rules against players working out at team facilities - keep him from preparing for a new season with his new team.
Brady gathered some of his Tampa Bay teammates on a high school field early Tuesday for a throwing session. Brady wore a Buccaneers helmet and an orange jersey over his shoulder pads. The informal, players-only workout at Berkeley Preparatory School lasted two hours, according to The Tampa Bay Times.
It's not unusual for quarterbacks to organize passing workouts before training camp, but the pandemic has changed normal routines. Teams have had to rely on virtual meetings instead of traditional offseason programs as the NFL tries to make plans for a 2020 season, possibly without fans at stadiums.
Because of the pandemic, which has forced social distancing and sheltering at home as the new rules, any gathering of players is notable - especially one involving Brady, a six-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots. Brady, 42, signed a two-year, $50 million contract with the Bucs in March.
After signing with the Bucs, Brady asked for phone numbers of his teammates. He apparently made use of that list to organize Tuesday's workout.
Center Ryan Jensen practiced shotgun snaps to Brady on the artificial turf football field.
Though he's the newcomer, Brady was in charge, according to the newspaper. Brady walked through a route with receiver Mike Evans, demonstrating for the veteran and other players exactly where to make their cuts.
Quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Griffin also threw passes.
Among other players attending the session were receiver Scotty Miller, tight ends Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard and running back Dare Ogunbowale.
Teams cannot organize such workouts, and the Bucs did not publicize Tuesday's session. There was no immediate reply from the team to a request from The Associated Press for comment on the workout.
Tuesday's session went better than Brady's attempt to work out privately at a Tampa park last month. After he was told by a security guard that the park was closed and he had to leave, Brady received an apology from Mayor Jane Castor.