ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The NFL and NFL Players Association on Friday approved an amended collective bargaining agreement that will allow training camp to begin on time.
"The NFL clubs and the NFL Players Association approved an agreement that broadly resolves all outstanding issues relating to the opening of training camps and start of the 2020 season," Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "Training camps will begin as scheduled.
"We have worked collaboratively to develop a comprehensive set of protocols designed to minimize risk for fans, players, and club and league personnel. These plans have been guided by the medical directors of the NFL and the NFLPA and have been reviewed and endorsed by independent medical and public health experts, including the CDC, and many state and local public health officials. The season will undoubtedly present new and additional challenges, but we are committed to playing a safe and complete 2020 season, culminating with the Super Bowl."
The agreement between the league and players association reportedly included an enlarged 16-man practice squad, an increased ramp-up period ahead of the regular-season opener and the decision to spread out the financial impact of the 2020 season over the next four years.
The acclimation period ahead of Week 1 will reportedly include 20 days before any padded practices. Teams may then hold up to 14 padded practices in the weeks leading up to the season opener. The agreement also made official the cancellation of the 2020 preseason slate.
In addition to the above agreements, the league and players association also agreed upon lowering team rosters from 90 players to 80 players by Aug. 16. The agreement also outlines an opt-out policy for high-risk players. Those opt-outs, which must be made within seven days, are final for the 2020 season.
"Our NFLPA Board of Representatives voted to adopt, by a count of 29-3, the proposed amendments to the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement to protect our players' health, safety and financial well-being," the NFLPA said in a statement.
The Broncos — whose rookies, quarterbacks and rehabbing players reported for COVID-19 testing on Thursday — are scheduled to welcome veterans back to the facility for testing on July 28.
Denver has implemented an intensive plan at UCHealth Training Center to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. The protocol — which includes daily testing for players, coaches and essential staff, social distancing and facial coverings — has been approved by both the Colorado state government and the NFL and NFLPA.
The Broncos are scheduled to open their season on "Monday Night Football" against the Titans on Sept. 14.
On Thursday, rookies, quarterbacks and several other Broncos veterans reported to UCHealth Training Center for their first COVID-19 tests ahead of training camp.
Jerry Jeudy reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Trinity Benson reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Malik Carney reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Tyrie Cleveland reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
De'Vante Bausby reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Tre' Crawford reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Tre' Crawford reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Tyrie Cleveland reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Jake Butt reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Head Athletic Trainer Vince Garcia talks with a player as he reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Lloyd Cushenberry III reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Alijah Holder reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Jerry Jeudy reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Jerry Jeudy reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Bradley Chubb reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Bradley Chubb reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock talks with Jeff Driskel as they report to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Kelvin McKnight leads a group of players as they report to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Broncos players report to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Kelvin McKnight reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Broncos players report to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Broncos players report to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
McTelvin Agim reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Justin Strnad reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Netane Muti reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
McTelvin Agim, Justin Strnad, Hunter Watts, Netane Muti and others report to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Drew Lock poses for a photo after reporting to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Michael Ojemudia reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Derrek Tuszka reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Elijah Wilkinson reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Albert Okwuegbunam reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Albert Okwuegbunam reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Juwann Winfree reports to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Juwann Winfree and Albert Okwuegbunam fill out paperwork as they report to UCHealth Training Center for the first day of COVID-19 testing on July 23, 2020. Rookies, quarterbacks, players recovering from injuries and several others reported early ahead of training camp and began their testing protocols. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
