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Some of the final discussions left between the NFL and Players Association have officially come to an end this week as the two entities have agreed to terms on new changes to the recent CBA that have been spurred on by the coronavirus pandemic.
As reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the NFL has declared this Thursday as the deadline for players to decided whether or not they plan to opt-out of the 2020 season. That’s t-minus 48 hours for players to make one of the toughest decisions they’ve ever had to make either professionally or their entire lives.
— Fines of $50,000 for refusing a COVID-19 test.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 4, 2020
— An opt-out deadline of Thursday.
— Bringing a player off the practice squad 90 minutes before a game.
The NFL & NFLPA pandemic revision to the CBA was finalized (via @TomPelissero) & here’s what’s new: https://t.co/JYuYkRnz2g
Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the changes listed below will also become official in the latest agreement. As expected, clubs’ practice squads will now increase to 16 total players with six of those spots being available to players with no limit on accrued seasons in the NFL. That’s a big one.
I’m also a big fan of the rule to allow teams to protect up to four PS members on a weekly basis. I couldn’t imagine being a club that’s struck by the injury bug and one of their best backups gets vultured by another team when they need him the most.
Several roster changes we’ve discussed are now official for 2020:
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 4, 2020
- 16-man practice squad (up to 6 with no limit on accrued seasons)
- Protect up to 4 P-squad members each Tuesday
- Starting 4 p.m. ET Sept. 6, unlimited players can return from injured reserve, after 3 weeks
Also as expected, NFL clubs will have the opportunity to have an unlimited amount of players come off injured reserve after three weeks time. All of these changes are just another handful of necessary steps to playing real, meaningful football next month so I’m stoked to see progress hasn’t been stifled.
Now for today’s links.
Rams News:
Bret Stuter does some math with all the new factors affecting the 2020 cap regarding opt-outs (Ramblin’ Fan)
J.B. Long answers 20 questions about the Rams 2020 training camp (TheRams.com)
Rams GM Les Snead discusses the acclimation period (TheRams.com)
Cameron DaSilva highlights Jared Goff’s recent press conference, including some refreshing humor (The Rams Wire)
NFL News:
Courtney Cronin discusses the reboot taking place on the Vikings’ defense (ESPN)
The 49ers are signing former Washington TE Jordan Reed (Bleacher Report)
Odell Beckham Jr. believes the NFL should cancel the 2020 season (Bleacher Report)
Michael David Smith reports on the Raiders getting set to announce no fans in Allegiant this season (Pro Football Talk)
Broncos RT Ju’Wuan James is opting-out of the 2020 season (Pro Football Talk)
Cody Benjamin wonders which teams will be the NFL’s next dynasty (CBS Sports)