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Mike Pouncey open to playing outside California amid COVID-19 restrictions

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Los Angeles Chargers center Mike Pouncey would willingly play home games outside California if COVID-19 restrictions keep sports on hold throughout the state.

"Yeah, I think so," Pouncey said of the prospect of relocating to Nevada or Arizona, according to Lindsey Thiry of ESPN. "All of us are dealing with change throughout these tough times, and I think this is something that everybody in the world has to adjust to, not just us as football players.

"So we're all professionals. ... If (we) have to go move to a different state or a different city to be able to get back to work and help feed our families, then I'm sure a lot of guys, most of the guys, would be up for it."

The Chargers and Los Angeles Rams both find themselves in flux ahead of the 2020 season. Previously, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he can't envision sports returning to California with fans in attendance over the coming months unless a coronavirus vaccine is developed.

Arizona received the green light from Gov. Doug Ducey to resume professional sports as of May 16.

The NFL stated Tuesday that it will be appropriately prepared if the two Los Angeles teams are kept out of the new SoFi Stadium when the season opens in September.

Pouncey, who only played five games last year due to a neck injury, also revealed he's been medically cleared following surgery.

"I feel great," he said. "It's still a process coming back from neck surgery, so I'm just in the rehab stages. But yes, if you was to ask the doctor that did my surgery, I've been cleared to play."

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