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NFL Players Opting Out Of 2020 Season With Coronavirus Concerns

Bill Speros for Bookies.com

Bill Speros  | 6 mins

NFL Players Opting Out Of 2020 Season With Coronavirus Concerns

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The deadline for NFL players to opt out of playing in the 2020 season due to coronavirus concerns came and went Thursday at 4 p.m. ET with far fewer choosing to skip the season than many had predicted or feared. A total 67 players had opted out as of the deadline. Other names may be added if they notified their teams by the set deadline.

Healthy veteran players who choose not to play receive $150,000 advanced against their 2020 base salary. Any players choosing this route are not eligible for any further bonuses. They also will not be credited with an accrued or credited season toward free agency. Undrafted rookies who opt out will receive no pay.

Players who opt out are slotted into the "medically higher-risk" category if they have any of the 15 medical concerns agreed to by the NFL and NFLPA. Those conditions includes cancer, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and a compromised immune system. Those players will get a $350,000 stipend. That payment is not considered an advance against his 2020 salary. These higher-risk players, however, will receive credit for an accrued season toward free agency and a credited season good towards benefits.

Among those players in the later group was Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Brad Seaton, who became the only player on Tom Brady's new team to opt out this season. Seaton has one of the pre-existing conditions outlined in the deal between the NFL and its players.

Here is a list of players who have chosen to opt out as of the 4 p.m. deadline on Thursday.

Player Pos. Team
Marcus Gilbert* OTArizona Cardinals
Andre Smith OTBaltimore Ravens
De'Anthony Thomas WRBaltimore Ravens
Star Lotulelei DTBuffalo Bills
E.J. Gaines CBBuffalo Bills
Jordan Mack LBCarolina Panthers
Christian Miller*LBCarolina Panthers
Jordan Lucas SChicago Bears
Eddie Goldman DTChicago Bears
Isaiah PrinceOT Cincinnati Bengals
Josh Tupou DT Cincinnati Bengals
Drew Forbes GCleveland Browns
Colby Gossett *GCleveland Browns
Andrew Billings DTCleveland Browns
Drake DorbeckTCleveland Browns
Malcolm PridgeonOGCleveland Browns
Maurice Canday CBDallas Cowboys
Jamize OlawaleFBDallas Cowboys
Stephen Guidry WRDallas Cowboys
Ja’Wuan JamesOTDenver Broncos
Kyle Peko DLDenver Broncos
Geronimo Allison WRDetroit Lions
Russell BodineCDetroit Lions
John AtkinsDTDetroit Lions
Devin Funchess WRGreen Bay Packers
Eddie Vanderdoes DL Houston Texans
Skai Moore LB Indianapolis Colts
Rolan Milligan S Indianapolis Colts
Marvell Tell S Indianapolis Colts
Lerentee McCray LB Jacksonville Jaguars
Rashaan Melvin CB Jacksonville Jaguars
Al Woods DL Jacksonville Jaguars
Damien Williams RBKansas City Chiefs
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif OGKansas City Chiefs
Lucas Niang OLKansas City Chiefs
Ukeme Eligwe LB Las Vegas Raiders
D.J. Killings DB Las Vegas Raiders
Jeremiah Valoaga DE Las Vegas Raiders
Chandler Brewer*OLLos Angeles Rams
Albert WilsonWRMiami Dolphins
Allen HurnsWRMiami Dolphins
Michael Pierce* NTMinnesota Vikings
Patrick ChungS New England Patriots
Brandon BoldenRB New England Patriots
Dont’a Hightower LB New England Patriots
Marcus Cannon*OL New England Patriots
Danny Vitale RB New England Patriots
Najee Toran OG New England Patriots
Matt LaCosse TE New England Patriots
Marqise Lee WR New England Patriots
Cole Wick TE New Orleans Saints
Jason Vander Lean TE New Orleans Saints
Nate Solder OLNew York Giants
Sam Beal CBNew York Giants
Da'Mari Scott WRNew York Giants
Leo Koloamatangi OLNew York Jets
Josh Doctson WRNew York Jets
C.J. Mosley LBNew York Jets
Marquise Goodwin WRPhiladelphia Eagles
Travis Benjamin WR San Francisco 49ers
Shon Coleman OK San Francisco 49ers
Jake Brendel C San Francisco 49ers
Chance Warmack OG Seattle Seahawks
Brad Seaton* OLTampa Bay Buccaneers
Anthony McKinney OLTennessee Titans*
Josh Harvey-Clemons LBWashington
Caleb Brantley* DLWashington

* - Higher-Risk Opt Out

Sources: Teams, CBS Sports, Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero - NFL Network

The New England Patriots lead the league with at eight who have opted out. The Cleveland Browns had five players choose not to play this season.


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About the Author

Bill Speros for Bookies.com
Bill Speros
Bill Speros is an award-winning journalist and editor whose career includes stops at USA Today Sports Network / Golfweek, Cox Media, ESPN, Orlando Sentinel and Denver Post.