The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Goodell orders all NFL teams to shut facilities until at least April 8
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell instructed the 32 teams to close their facilities to all but a select few employees by 6 p.m. Wednesday.
In a memo to teams, Goodell said the restrictions meant as a safeguard against the new coronavirus will be in force until at least April 8, when the league will reevaluate, using advice from medical experts and health authorities. The NFL has gotten some pushback for not postponing the draft scheduled for April 23-25 while the rest of the sports world is shut down.
Several teams have suggested there could be a competitive disadvantage in keeping those dates and have cited the inability to perform physical exams on draft prospects. But the draft remains on schedule, and the league is developing a new format because it has scrapped events set for Las Vegas.
JETS: The Jets quickly responded to losing Robby Anderson by finding a speedy replacement in Breshad Perriman. Perriman agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $8 million and includes $6 million guaranteed.
The 26-year-old wide receiver had his best season in the NFL last year, setting career highs with 36 catches, 645 yards receiving and six touchdowns for Tampa Bay. The move helped soften the blow of Anderson earlier in the day agreeing to terms with Carolina on a two-year contract worth $20 million.
COWBOYS: Dallas continued its offseason revamp by signing tight end Blake Bell and finalizing a deal with massive nose tackle Dontari Poe. The addition of the 346-pound Poe, a former Falcon, continues a philosophy change under new coach Mike McCarthy of getting bigger inside on defense.
VIKINGS: Minnesota added wide receiver Tajae Sharpe, providing another veteran who can compete with Bisi Johnson for the No. 2 receiver spot and behind Adam Thielen following last week’s Stefon Diggs trade.
JAGUARS: Oft-injured tight end Tyler Eifert agreed to a two-year contract in free agency. Eifert played in 16 games last year for the first time in his seven NFL seasons, all with Cincinnati.