NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent out a memo stating how players and team officials will return to facilities, and some players may be permitted to arrive earlier. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFL may allow rookies, veterans who changed teams to return to facilities early

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 6/8/20

The NFL season, hopefully, will get underway as scheduled in August amid the coronavirus pandemic, and while no dates have been set yet for minicamps, there's a possibility for certain players to return to team facilities before others.

Rookies and veterans who have changed teams and need physicals may be allowed to return to facilities on a limited basis beginning on June 26, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

No dates set yet and no minicamps expected, but the NFL and NFLPA are discussing the possibility of certain players -- such as rookies, and veterans who changed teams and need physicals -- returning to club facilities on a limited basis before June 26, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 8, 2020

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ordered all team facilities to close in March, but it seems the league has made progress on fully reopening them.

The NFL and players' union sent a memo to all 32 teams Monday outlining full reopening procedures for practice facilities with protocols focusing on screening, testing, infection prevention and treatment for COVID-19.

A tiered approach will be taken for team facilities with players, coaches, trainers, physicians and the head equipment manager being allowed to return during Tier 1. The second tier will consist of ownership, facility staff, additional coaches, equipment personnel and other members of the staff. Tier 3 will include essential facility, stadium and event staff that don't require close contact with individuals in Tier 1.

More must-reads: