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Wilson, Mahomes among players to criticize NFL's COVID-19 response

Abbie Parr / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With NFL training camps set to begin as early as Monday, players engaged in a coordinated effort to blast the NFL's response to the COVID-19 pandemic Sunday on social media.

Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, and J.J. Watt were among the big-name players who voiced their concerns on Twitter using the hashtag "We Want To Play."

NFLPA president JC Tretter explained the coordinated social media posts:

The league informed teams Saturday that training camps will begin as scheduled despite ongoing negotiations between the NFL and the NFL Players Association regarding coronavirus protocols and testing.

The Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs, who are scheduled to play in the season opener, are set to have rookies report Monday.

Other teams' rookies can report as early as Tuesday, and veterans must report by July 28.

The league and the players' union will continue talks Sunday, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano. The NFLPA could file a grievance against the league claiming an unsafe work environment If players report to camp before the two sides reach an agreement on protocols, Graziano added.

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