Last week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said that he thought it was "highly unlikely" that fans would be able to attend the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton on August 6.
But when it comes to this year's preseason kickoff between the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers, ESPN's Adam Schefter has an even more pessimistic view.
Appearing on ESPN's Get Up on Monday, Schefter discussed the state of the NFL's return to action amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. And in doing so, the NFL insider revealed that it's his belief that this year's Hall of Fame Game will ultimately be canceled.
"Most teams are scheduled to begin training camp on July 28 -- 26 of the 32 teams are scheduled to report to camp July 28," Schefter said. "But everybody is still awaiting further direction from the NFL and the NFLPA as to if and when that is actually going to happen, whether people will be going to camp on time, whether the preseason will be reduced. I am expecting the Hall of Fame Game to be canceled, the one in Canton between the Cowboys and Steelers. I do not think that game happens.
"I think the NFL is in a holding pattern and I think teams are anxious for answers that they haven't gotten so far from the league office."
Schefter's comments come just days after the NFL Players Association issued new guidance stating that players shouldn't gather for private workouts due to concerns regarding the coronavirus. Last week, it was reported that several players on the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys had tested positive for the coronavirus, including Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Appearing on CNN on Friday, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci admitted he believed a 2020 football season might not happen.
"Unless players are essentially in a bubble -- insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day -- it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall," Fauci told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
"If there is a second wave, which is certainly a possibility and which would be complicated by the predictable flu season, football may not happen this year."
But while the NFL has remained steadfast in its belief the 2020 campaign will start on time, the situation appears to be in flux, with the cancellation of the Hall of Fame Game potentially being the first step toward at the very least delaying this year's season.