Paul Sancya/Associated Press
Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones was reportedly the brains behind Sunday’s tweetstorm about NFL safety from players around the league, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.
Several notable NFL players took to Twitter to discuss the need to have agreed-upon protocols before the start of training camp to keep them safe amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Jones reportedly suggested the idea on a call with other player reps with the message: “We want to play, let’s just make it safe.”
Players are expected to report to training camp this week, but the league and players association still have unanswered questions about safety protocols.
As Tom Pelissero of NFL Network noted, debates include the length of an acclimation period upon returning, the number of preseason games, plans for players to opt out of the season and frequency of testing, among other issues.
NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith has asked for player testing every day once they arrive at camp.
Meanwhile, the NFLPA is concerned about returning to play despite a rise in COVID-19 cases in several parts of the country.
“We have one question that encapsulates it all: Does it make sense for the NFL to open up training camps in ‘hot spot’ cities right now?” a person familiar with the NFLPA’s views said Tuesday, per Mark Maske of the Washington Post.
The coronavirus has caused over 138,000 deaths in the United States as of Sunday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Jones was a player rep for the Dallas Cowboys last season before signing with the Dolphins as a free agent this offseason.