NFL Releases New Safety COVID-19 Protocols For 2021 Season

• The NFLPA has released the upcoming COVID-19 protocols that will affect the upcoming training camp and preseason.
• Vaccinated players have fewer restrictions compared to unvaccinated players.
• Players risk a $50,000 fine if they break safety protocols.

NEW YORK – New safety protocols have been released for the upcoming 2021 NFL preseason and training camp.

The rules are similar to what was set during the 2020 NFL season for players who haven’t received the COVID-19 vaccine, but vaccinated players have more freedom.

These protocols are likely to transfer to the start of the season, which could affect NFL betting if players violate the protocols and are forced to miss crucial games.

The official protocols will see vaccinated players being able to visit family members during team travel, not be required to wear masks, and have no limits for capacity in weight rooms.

Unvaccinated players will not be allowed to go out during team travel, have limited capacity in weight rooms and cafeteria settings, be required to wear masks and social distance, and have to be tested every day before practices and games.

As stated earlier, these are relatively the same requirements set during the 2020 season with daily testing and social distancing requirements. The difference this season is that there will be a preseason and training camp, which was skipped in 2020 due to COVID-19.

The full set of protocols are standard across many sporting leagues still unfortunately affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The protocols are similar for coaches and staff as well. Vaccinated coaches and staff members will be able to interact with players directly and avoid the daily testing.

Coaches and staff who are not vaccinated, however, cannot work in person with players during training camp. For example, strength and conditioning coaches cannot enter the weight room with players unless they are fully vaccinated.

These rules are set in place to not only keep players safe but also to ensure the season can progress with minimal to no interruption. Players who fail to follow safety protocols run a risk of mandatory five-day isolation and up to $50,000 in fines.

Hopefully, these protocols keep the season flowing so legal sports betting on the NFL is uninterrupted.

News tags: COVID-19 | Kansas City Chiefs | NFL | NFLPA | Super Bowl | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tom Pelissero | Vaccine