Jaguar Report

NFL Reaffirms Teams Are to Officially Begin Training Camp July 28

The Jacksonville Jaguars will kick off training camp as planned on July 28, along with rest of the NFL.

Kassidy Hill

The NFL has reinforced to teams that training camp dates will move forward as planned, meaning the Jacksonville Jaguars will begin camp on July 28 according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Dates had been in flux as states continue to implement precautions due to the spread of the COVID-19. 

In an email sent to general managers and head coaches, and obtained by Pelissero, the league office said: 

"At yesterday's League meeting, the membership was advised that under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the reporting dates for training camp this year are as follows: 

Rookies—July 21

Quarterbacks and injured players—July 23

All other players—July 28

The dates are applicable for all clubs other than Houston and Kansas City."  

The Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs were slated to play in the annual Hall of Fame Game and as such, were scheduled to begin training camp a week early. The game has been canceled but the training camp dates remain with rookies for both teams reporting this coming Monday, July 20. 

The Jaguars are in a unique situation, situated in a state that is moving forward with most reopening plans but is seeing COVID-19 case numbers grow every day. A recent NFLPA heat map shows Jacksonville as the third-highest NFL city experiencing COVID-19 cases per capita. The Jaguars facility has been reopened for coaches and staff since May, however, following league protocols allowed in states that are reopening. 

Training camp will likely be stretched a little longer since the Week 1 and Week 4 preseason games have been canceled. The NFLPA has also asked the NFL to cancel the remaining two preseason games as well in order to stretch training camp till Week 1 of the regular season, allowing for extra safety protocols and extended medical evaluations and possible quarantine for players who test positive for the virus.  

The league and NFLPA Executive Committee reached an agreement on training camp protocols on July 8 that outlined how meetings, admittance into the facility and social distancing off the practice field would work.

However, they are working against the clock to reach an agreement on protocols for on-field training camp, the preseason and regular season. The Committee is asking for clarification on testing regularity, the Infections Disease Emergency Response, preseason games, what a positive test would mean and more. This according to Texans MVP defensive lineman, JJ Watt. 

Training camp will be especially important for the Jaguars this season, after drafting 12 rookies—a franchise record—in this April's 2020 NFL Draft. The organization also signed 18 undrafted free agents, bringing the rookie class to a whopping 30 total. Position battles were/are expected to be fierce with the influx of young talent. 

New Offensive Coordinator Jay Gruden told reporters back in May that while he could implement the new playbook with players virtually, he would need to see them on the field to really determine what can be done in season. 

“It’s one thing to install plays on a chalkboard and virtual meetings getting to know the concepts and all that stuff,” explained Gruden Tuesday while on a call with local reporters.

“It’s another thing to go out and execute and see what we’re good at, to see what guy can do. I don’t have a lot of information as far as how these guys can handle different positions and how to run different routes and all that stuff. 

“We have to get these guys on the field. I think, from a knowledge standpoint, they’ll know the plays and the concepts, but then getting them out there and seeing them execute it versus some different looks and find out what they’re good at so we can best utilize their skillset."

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Kassidy Hill
KASSIDY HILL

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