NFL Teams May Do Joint Practices If Pandemic Guidelines Allow It

The Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons are considering the possibility of joint practices prior to the upcoming 2020 NFL season. 

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn spoke on the idea on Tuesday on a video conference, saying the Falcons spoke with both teams “way back in the offseason” and that the teams discussed “doing some scrimmages.”

The idea could very well get squashed by the league considering coronavirus pandemic guidelines. 

“If those guidelines are in place that we are able to, we will,” Quinn said.

The joint practices would likely occur during the preseason, with the Falcons schedule for games against each team. Atlanta will host Miami on August 13 and the Bills will host Atlanta during the week of August 20. 

Quinn has mentioned that the team still awaits NFL guidelines on how the teams can collectively meet safely. No teams have been allowed to meet at facilities this off-season. 

Dr. Anthony Fauci spoke on the matter of the NFL’s return this week, saying there would be a problem if multiple players tested positive for the virus. Fauci said the team would “have to be quarantined for 14 days with their next two games canceled or postponed.”

Fauci had no answer as to when the league may be able to play a full season.

“The virus will make the decision for us,” he said.

Fauci suggested that players and team personnel be tested multiple times a week. That would be challenging considering the lack of tests that exist elsewhere in the world.

The Atlanta Falcons held rookie minicamp last weekend via video conferences. The team plans to have all players together on Monday on a virtual platform.