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SECOND UPDATE: The Eagles announced they’ll be re-opening the NovaCare Complex on Monday, June 8 but coaches will not be returning just yet. Full team statement below:
“We have been planning for and will begin a phased approach of gradually returning a limited number of employees to the NovaCare Complex and Lincoln Financial Field beginning Monday, June 8 in compliance with the state and local guidelines, NFL policies, and in consultation with medical experts. While the majority of our employees will continue to work from home, the virtual collaboration over the past three months has proven that the contributions and value of our employees is not dependent upon their physical presence at the facility.”
“Coaches and players will continue their preparations for the 2020 season remotely, with the goal of returning to the facility for Training Camp in July.”
“We look forward to taking this step to re-open our facilities. We will remain in close communication with the league and public officials as we monitor developments, and will follow all necessary guidelines and precautions to maintain a healthy and safe environment for our employees.”
FIRST UPDATE: The NFL is permitting coaches to return to team facilities as of Friday, June 5. If Philadelphia county goes from red phase to yellow, as is expected to happen, the Eagles will be allowed to have coaching staff members back in the building. Still guessing we won’t see players back until training camp begins in July, though.
Here is the crux of the memo that just went out to teams from the NFL regarding coaches being back in the building safely. Still no players, but a reason for optimism. pic.twitter.com/A8LyqqHJK3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 4, 2020
ORIGINAL STORY BELOW.
The Philadelphia Eagles became the first NFL team to shut down their headquarters amidst the coronavirus pandemic back on March 13. Now the club is expected to re-open the NovaCare Complex to some extent this week. Per NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Derrick Gunn:
I’m told 50-60 eagles staff is expected to return to the Novacare complex to start working again June 5th.... coaches and players are expected to return in late July to begin training camp ...
— Derrick Gunn (@RealDGunnNBCS) June 1, 2020
Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf lifted restrictions on pro sports teams in yellow and green phase counties as of last week. Philadelphia is currently still in the most restrictive red phase but all PA counties are expected to be at least yellow by this Friday, June 5.
With players and coaches not expected to return until late July, the Eagles clearly won’t be holding any spring practices (OTAs/minicamp) this offseason. But at least the team is expected to have a normal training camp start date at their facility ahead of the 2020 regular season.
Hopefully there are no setbacks as things in the United States slowly but surely open back up. We’re all looking forward to leaving COVID-19 in the past.