J.J. Watt: Players undecided on competing during pandemic
NFL training camps are set to begin in less than a month, but Houston Texans superstar J.J. Watt says players haven't decided if they will play out the 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"I've been on the NFLPA calls the last couple times we've had them. ... I don't think we're at a point yet where people are making that decision because we don't have enough information yet to be making decisions like that," Watt said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Sarah Barshop.
"So I think that it's a very fluid process, and I think it keeps coming up. Obviously ... the report date gets closer and closer. But as of right now, we really don't have enough information to make a decision."
The NFL and players' association have yet to determine COVID-19 protocols, whether a portion of players' salaries will be held in escrow, and the number of preseason games that would be played, if any.
"As a vet, personally, do I think that preseason games for somebody in my situations is absolutely necessary? I would say, I don't think so," the nine-year pro added.
"But I think there are a whole bunch of people who need those opportunities and who live for those opportunities. I mean, it can literally change a life. So I see, I see the other side of it where somebody could literally have their entire dream come true because of those games, so that's a very difficult debate to have."
HEADLINES
- Trade grades: Evaluating the Steelers-Dolphins blockbuster
- Report: Multiple teams have tried trading for Steelers' Watt
- Dolphins trade Ramsey, Jonnu Smith to Steelers for Minkah Fitzpatrick
- Report: Browns' Watson 'an awesome teammate' to rookies amid QB competition
- 49ers' Lenoir arrested for obstructing law enforcement