NFL says no in-person workouts for combine

The NFL will not allow in-person workouts for the scouting combine due to health and safety precautions because of COVID-19.

The league informed teams Jan. 18 that any workouts will take place on the individual pro days on college campuses. Interviews of prospects and psychological testing and assessments will be done virtually.

“We will work with the schools to encourage consistency in testing and drills across pro days and ensure that all clubs have access to video from those workouts, irrespective of whether the club is represented at a particular workout,” the NFL told teams in a memo obtained by The Associated Press.

The league is working with club physicians and athletic trainers to obtain comprehensive medical information on each of the invited prospects. The plan will likely involve a combination of virtual interviews by club medical staffs and testing done at labs and medical facilities near the invited prospect’s residence.

An in-person examination will take place at one or more designated locations, likely in early April, for a certain number of prospects. Each team will be permitted to send one physician and one athletic trainer to conduct these in-person exams.

Colleges

TENNESSEE FIRES FOOTBALL COACH, OTHERS » The Tennessee football program is starting over yet again, this time after coach Jeremy Pruitt and nine others were fired for cause when an internal investigation found what the university chancellor called “serious violations of NCAA rules.”

Chancellor Donde Plowman said Pruitt was responsible for overseeing the program. Tennessee has been conducting an internal investigation since a tip Nov. 13 about alleged recruiting violations.

Also fired were two assistants and seven members of the recruiting and support staff.

VANDERBILT WOMEN’S

TEAM ENDS SEASON » Vanderbilt’s women’s basketball program has decided to end its season after struggling with a depleted roster. The Commodores join a growing list of women’s basketball teams that have decided to stop playing that now includes Duke, SMU, Virginia and San Jose State, among others.

NBA

IRVING OUT VS. BUCKS » Kyrie Irving missed a seventh straight game Monday and could rejoin the Brooklyn Nets later this week in his original NBA home.

The Nets hoped their point guard would be able to return for the showdown against the Bucks in a matchup of Eastern Conference powers, listing him as questionable in the Jan. 17 injury report. Irving was downgraded to out Jan. 18. The Nets are scheduled to play the first of a pair of games Jan. 20 in Cleveland, where Irving began his NBA career. They also play there Jan. 22.

MLB

PADRES, PIRATES DEAL » The San Diego Padres are adding yet another pitcher to their rotation, agreeing to bring righthander Joe Musgrove to his hometown team in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to a person familiar with the deal. Another person confirmed the New York Mets were also involved in the trade, acquiring lefthander Joey Lucchesi from San Diego.

NHL

BLUE JACKETS WIN» Alexandre Texier and PierreLuc Dubois scored 1:16 apart early in the third period to give the visiting Blue Jackets a two-goal lead and they held on to beat the Red Wings, 3-2.