Pandemic limiting what players can do on off weeks
GREEN BAY, WIS. » Aaron Rodgers and his Green Bay Packers teammates won’t get a chance to celebrate their fast start by leaving town during their week off.
The Packers (4-0) and Detroit Lions (1-3) don’t play this week and therefore are the first NFL teams to get a taste of howdifferent off weeks will be amid a pandemic. Players and coaches aren’t allowed to leave the city where the team is located during the off week, as they must provide daily specimens for COVID-19 testing.
“Totally sucks,” the 36-yearold Rodgers said after the Packers’ Monday night victory over the Atlanta Falcons. “That’s all I can say about that. Obviously it is what it is, the situation. But especially as a older player, I look forward to the bye weeks immensely. I look forward to kind of a reset, recharging the batteries.”
Indeed, players oftenhave used these offweeks to visit their hometowns, take their families on a quick trip or return to their alma maters to watch college football games from the sidelines. They won’t get those chances this year.
“We have new protocols in
place that are meant to keep everybody safe and healthy,” Lions coach Matt Patricia said. “And that’s important right now. We’re still in that world and still in the middle of COVID-19.”
Both teams understand what’s at stake, particularly in light of recent events.
The Tennessee Titans have had 20 positive cases since Sept. 29, which caused their scheduled Oct. 4 game with the Pittsburgh Steelers to get pushed back to Oct. 25. NewEngland canceled its practices Wednesday and Thursday amid reports that a thirdPatriotsplayerhas tested positive.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell warned all 32 teams Monday that any violations of COVID-19 protocols that force schedule changes could result in punishment including forfeiting games, fines or loss of draft picks.
The NFL sent out a reminder Friday that the league’s agreement with the NFL Players Association inAugust means players who miss tests can be punished with a $50,000 fine. A second missed test can result in a one-game suspension.
“There definitely had to be a lot of sacrifices made this year for this season to happen, but I think everyone can say that they’re definitely
willing tomake those sacrifices,” Lions center Frank Ragnowsaid.
The Packers’ off week comes at a timewhen the high COVID-19 rates around Green Bay caused the team to announce Tuesday that any plans to have fans at home games this season were on indefinite hold.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur closed his postgame Zoom session Monday by reminding players and other Green Bay-area residents to wear amask and practice social distancing.
“Unfortunately COVID is running rampant in our community, and our guys got to continue to make smart decisions because you can see how it can impact a football team,” LaFleur said. “You’ve got to look no further than Tennessee.”