NFL scouting combine loosens virus rules after blowback | Agriculture

“However, if you would like to leave the secure areas during free time in your schedule, you are now permitted to do so at your own risk.”

The memo indicated prospects would nonetheless be restricted to a single assist individual corresponding to an athletic coach or therapeutic massage therapist they will convey to the combine, though gamers shall be free to fulfill with others off-site.

“As has been the case throughout the pandemic, we continue to evolve our Combine policies and procedures in consultation with medical experts,” the memo mentioned. “While masks continue to be required for air travel and during medical exams at the Combine (players and medical personnel), wearing a mask at other times while on site is recommended, but not required.”

The memo mentioned that if gamers most well-liked “to remain in the secure areas and have approved medical support personnel (physical therapist, massage therapist, or approved athletic trainer) enter the secure area to provide medical treatments, please follow the previously communicated procedure” in which they would have to register that individual for approval by the NIC.

The changes came 48 hours after prospects were told in a memo they would be restricted to a “bubble” whereas on the combine, which rankled gamers and their brokers.

The thought of a boycott was bandied about in response to the rules issued over the weekend, however a number of brokers mentioned they could not in good conscience advise their shoppers to skip the combine, which can happen in Indianapolis March 1-7.

“I understand their grievances,” agent Leigh Steinberg said Monday before the rules were eased. He noted that most of the 324 prospects invited to the combine have been training with a team of specialists “and they want to take their trainers with them to the combine, and they might want access to their agent. They might have family members. And they may have an entire support group both for their physical and emotional health — and the NFL regulations seem unduly restrictive.

“Having said that, we will send our players because this is the Super Bowl of scouting events,” Steinberg added. “And you have players who have worked their whole lives to prepare for the NFL draft.”

Agent Joe Linta concurred, saying, “It’s not the time to be guinea pigs for change and use your career” as a bargaining chip.

“It’s also in the interests of the NFL to have full participation,” Steinberg said.

The organization that oversees the operation of the annual NFL scouting combine informed draft prospects in a memo Saturday that they’d be in a bubble in secure locations, and that any player who violates the policy “at any time will be disqualified from further participation and sent home.”

These logistical selections have been made by the National Invitational Camp, which runs the combine, and never the National Football League itself.

The NFL resisted the concept of a “bubble” even in the course of the peak of the pandemic. And the league lifted virtually all COVID-19 restrictions late within the season after dozens of gamers ended up contracting the Omicron variant in December. For the second 12 months in a row there have been no disruptions to the playoffs attributable to the pandemic.

The memo added that gamers shall be allowed to “invite one medical support person to assist them during the event.” That could be an athletic trainer, a massage therapist or physical therapist, for instance, subject to approval by the combine.

Steinberg suggested that’s unduly restrictive.

“There are weight coaches, there are speed coaches, there are masseuses, nutritionists. There’s a whole group of people surrounding each of these athletes,” Steinberg mentioned. “And at the end of the day, these are heavier restrictions in terms of preventing COVID than exist outside of football.”

Linta questioned why the virus mitigation measures have been solely introduced in the previous couple of days, particularly as a result of the Omicron wave has begun to subside: ”And now’s the time the place you possibly can have relaxed the rules. So, for them to implement the rules now, when COVID has gotten higher, is a head scratcher for me.”

Anyone with entry to gamers on the combine should present proof of vaccination in opposition to the coronavirus and proof of a booster shot, if eligible. Also, medical personnel performing exams or offering therapy must put on masks.

Face coverings are beneficial for gamers and attendees on the combine however not required.

Last 12 months’s combine was scuttled due to the coronavirus, as have been in-person visits, main groups to depend on athletes’ professional days in making their draft evaluations.

This 12 months, the combine is about to return in individual however with key adjustments that embrace fewer days on website, a decreased testing schedule and single-room lodging, however the bubble is not a part of the equation.

AP Sports Writer Michael Marot contributed to this report.