CLEVELAND — With the start of training camp scheduled for Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns have been approved to welcome players back to their team facility.
On Monday afternoon, the NFL Players Association approved the Browns' Infectious Disease Emergency Response (IDER) plan, according to the union's website.
As a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, each team was required to submit an IDER plan to the NFLPA for approval. Once the plan is approved by the league and independent experts at Duke University, teams are permitted to have more than 20 players in their building at a time.
On Friday, the NFL and its players' association reached an agreement on adjusted protocols for training camp amid the coronavirus pandemic. Among the agreed-upon changes are the elimination of all preseason games and a reduction of preseason rosters from 90 to 80 players.
Additionally, training camp schedules have been adjusted to account for testing and safety protocols. That schedule will appear as follows:
- July 28-31: COVID-19 testing and virtual meetings
- August 1-2: Physicals and equipment distribution
- August 3-11: Acclimation period
- August 12-16: Gradual ramp-up period
- August 17-September 6: Contact integration period (practice)
On Sunday, the Browns placed running back Dontrell Hilliard and safety Jovante Moffatt on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Due to an agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA, the team is unable to comment on whether or not they tested positive for the virus.