NFL coaches allowed to return to team facilities on Friday

Coaches will be allowed to return to NFL team facilities beginning Friday as the league continues preparation for training camps and its season.

Commissioner Roger Goodell told the 32 clubs on Thursday that coaching staffs may from team complexes starting Friday. Previously, only up to 75 people per day could be at the facilities, with coaches and healthy players barred.

“As has been emphasized in previous advice on reopening facilities, this may occur only if your club has otherwise received necessary permission from state and local governments to reopen its facility,” Goodell wrote.

All coaches will count toward the maximum number of club employees in the facility, but that number will be increased to 100 — also subject to governmental regulations and implementation of health protocols developed by the NFL’s medical staff.

Goodell said the league would be working with each team’s medical staff to implement a program of COVID-19 testing for the coaching staff and other football personnel “prior to players returning to club facilities.”

The commissioner did not mention in the memo when players might be approved to return to team facilities. It’s likely that won’t be until training camps open next month.