MORNING ROUNDUP
SOCCER USL permits return to training on May 11
The United Soccer League announced Wednesday a modification to the previously announced training moratorium t hat will all ow Championship and League One clubs, at their option, to open outdoor fields for non- contact training in small groups as well as training rooms for player treatment.
Energy FC will begin training in small settings, operating under the guidance of local and state health authorities, on May 11.
Small group settings will be limited to up to four players, with no more than one athletic trainer and one member of a club's technical staff allowed on each field during a session. Teams in areas where local and state recommendations for stay-at-home orders have not been lifted should not train or allow treatment that is prohibited by their jurisdiction. In addition, all clubs will notify the league of their plans to return to the team' s training facility prior to re-opening and training is voluntary for players.
NFL NFL sets protocols for reopening team facilities
The NFL has set protocols for reopening team facilities and has told the 32 teams to have them in place by May 15.
In a memo sent by Commissioner Roger Good el land obtained Wednesday night by The Associated Press, several phases of the protocols were laid out. The first phase would involve a limited number of nonplayer personnel, initially 50 percent of t he nonplayer employees (up to a total of 75) on any single day, being approved to beat the facility. But state or local regulations could require a lower number.
The individual clubs would decide which employees could return to the facility and when once facilities reopen. No players would be permitted in the facility except to continue therapy and rehabilitation for injuries that was underway when facilities were ordered closed in late March by Goodell.
GIANTS: The New York Giants have claimed former Dallas Cowboys' backup quarterback Cooper Rush on waivers. The Giants announced the move Tuesday, saying it is contingent on Rush passing a physical. The make room on the 90-man roster, wide receiver Reggie White was waived.
JAGUARS: Veteran pass rusher Aaron Lynch signed a one-year contract with Jacksonville on Tuesday, giving the Jaguars more depth in case disgruntled defender Yannick Ngakoue decides to skip part of the season.
JETS: Frank Gore's likely run to Canton will go through the Big Apple for at least one season. The seemingly ageless running back, who turns 37 next Thursday, agreed to terms on a oneyear contract with the New York Jets on Tuesday. Gore is third on the NFL's career rushing list with 15,269 yards after passing Barry Sanders on the list last year while with Buffalo. With the Jets, Gore will join a backfield that includes Le'Veon Bell and fourth-round draft pick La'Mical Perine.
NBA Analysis: The NBA is proceeding with caution
The NBA says some players can voluntarily return to their team practice facilities starting on Friday, with some very specific conditions and only in places where local and state governments have signed off on such openings.
It's unclear how many — if any — players will be back on the floor Friday when the league ban gets lifted. Miami is allowed to open its doors for the first time in six weeks but won't until at l east Monday while it works out certain logistical details. Orlando isn' t going to welcome players back immediately either. Same goes for Utah, the first NBA team to deal with the corona virus after Rudy Gobert tested positive March 11 and the league shut down almost immediately. And most teams aren't allowed to open yet to because of local rules.