Report: NFL and NFLPA agree to suspend joint COVID-19 protocols

In the 2021 NFL season, numerous players across the league had to miss time due to the COVID-19 protocols that had been put in place amidst the ongoing pandemic.

Although the virus continues to infect people across the globe, the NFL and NFLPA have agreed to “suspend all aspects” of the COVID-19 protocols “effective immediately.”

This is certainly a big development for the NFL. The news comes at a time when many rules regarding COVID-19 have been changed across the country.

Many states in the U.S. are starting to put more relaxed regulations into effect, and even the federal government is signaling that a corner has been turned in the pandemic.

In the NFL world, the removal of COVID-19 protocols will surely make things a lot easier for players and coaches. Now, with any luck, it seems like players’ statuses won’t be impacted by the virus.

In fact, the statement makes it clear that players and staff won’t have to undergo surveillance testing at all. That is true whether or not a person is vaccinated.

Last season, vaccination status was a hot topic among players and fans. Now, it looks like that will be taken off the table as the NFL looks to return to business as usual.

This decision is perhaps a sign of things to come as people look to get back to a more normal style of living.