Roger Goodell: NFL Expects Positive COVID-19 Tests, Hopes to Prevent Spread

The 2020 NFL season is scheduled to begin Sept. 10, and Commissioner Roger Goodell is anticipating positive COVID-19 tests throughout the league as teams begin returning to their respective facilities in preparation:

NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith, medical director Thom Mayer and president J.C. Tretter held a 45-minute call to discuss how to move forward with next season as scheduled during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to SNY.tv's Ralph Vacchiano. 

Those on the call "outlined some plans" to protect personnel from the coronavirus, "like testing players three times per week once they return to the facility. But they told agents most of the protocols are a work in progress, and they expect to work with the NFL to figure them out in the next 30 days."

Earlier Monday, Dallas Cowboys All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott was revealed as one of an undisclosed number of Cowboys and Houston Texans players to test positive:

Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen was the first NFL player identified to have contracted the virus in mid-April. Denver Broncos All-Pro linebacker Von Miller announced he had tested positive around the same time.

"It's super serious," Miller told Phil Milani of the Broncos' official website. "I try to keep my body in tip-top shape. I try to be Superman. I try to make things happen. I try to stay up on my health. I know if I can get it, then I know that anybody can get it. I want people to really take it seriously."

Getting the proper safety protocols in place is crucial with training camp looming around six weeks away from most of the league's 32 teams, as noted by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.