GETTY Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers (R) talks with general manager John Lynch during practice for Super Bowl LIV at the Greentree Practice Fields on the campus of the University of Miami on January 29, 2020 in Coral Gables, Florida.
There’s been delays and concerns in Santa Clara, California, but the San Francisco 49ers have reportedly received the go-ahead to start reporting to training camp.
Running a couple of days behind other NFL franchises due to the number of COVID-19 cases in the area, the 49ers told rookies, quarterbacks and injured players to hold off from heading to the 49ers’ headquarters for their initial COVID-19 tests.
No longer though, as The Athletic’s Matt Barrows reported on Thursday that San Francisco and its players have been told they can come to Santa Clara, California for the team’s first organized practices and workouts in 2020.
UPDATE: Per source, #49ers have received approval from the county to move forward with training camp. Rookies, QBs, injured players to report/get initial COVID test tomorrow; Rest of team to come in July 28.
As the tweet and article explains and per the NFL’s plan and regulations, the rest of the 49ers’ return date is still another five days from when the first of San Francisco’s staff and players will check in.
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Regulations and Plan
Before being allowed into the San Francisco facility, every player and staff will be required to be tested for COVID-19. Each member will need to take the test twice in 72 hours, even if the first test comes back as negative.
Upon receiving a second negative test two days after the first, 49ers players will be allowed to practice, workout and be in the facilities, however, that’s the not the end of testing.
Per the NFL’s guidelines, daily testing will continue for the first two weeks of San Francisco’s training camp. That could change depending on if over 5% of the 49ers test negative, which would mean that test would go down to every other day.
The delay is not unique to the San Francisco camp, partially due to the NFL Players’ Association and several high-profile players calling out the NFL over a lack of nailed-down guidelines.
The NFLPA released this statement in relation to players’ stances and vocal disapproval of the state of the NFL’s COVID-19 plan.
“Our union has been pushing for the strongest testing, tracing and treatment protocols to keep our players safe. The testing protocols we agreed to are one critical factor that will help us return to work safely and gives us the best chance to play and finish the season.”
Our statement on Covid-19 testing procedures:
Which Players Are Reporting on July 23
Going in line with classic offseason rules, the NFL has rookies, quarterbacks and injured players coming to franchises first. For the 49ers, that includes four quarterbacks, 15 rookies and three injured players.
Quarterbacks:
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Nick Mullens
- CJ Beathard
- Broc Rutter (Rookie)
Injured Players:
- WR Deebo Samuel
- WR Richie James Jr.
- DB D.J. Reed
Rookies:
- DT Javon Kinlaw
- WR Brandon Aiyuk
- OL Colton McKivitz
- TE Charlie Woerner
- WR Jauan Jennings
- DL Darrion Daniels
- S Jared Mayden
- TE Chase Harrell
- RB Jamychal Hasty
- RB Salvon Ahmed
- FB Josh Hokit
- LB Jonas Griffith
- CB DeMarkus Acy
- WR Chris Finke
So, in total, 20 players will take their first tests on Thursday, with another coming on the weekend. Whoever submits two negatives can begin to work next week, but either way, the team as a whole will not be together until at least July 31.
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Evan Reier is a sportswriter covering the San Francisco 49ers for Heavy.com and local sports for the Montana Standard in Butte, Mont. Reach out to him on Twitter at @evanreier and join our 49ers community at Heavy on 49ers on Facebook.