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NFL Players Opting Out Of 2020 Season With Coronavirus Concerns

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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* OT Arizona Cardinals
Andre Smith OT Baltimore Ravens
De'Anthony Thomas WR Baltimore Ravens
Star Lotulelei DT Buffalo Bills
E.J. Gaines CB Buffalo Bills
Jordan Mack LB Carolina Panthers
Christian Miller* LB Carolina Panthers
Jordan Lucas S Chicago Bears
Eddie Goldman DT Chicago Bears
Isaiah Prince OT Cincinnati Bengals
Josh Tupou DT Cincinnati Bengals
Drew Forbes G Cleveland Browns
Colby Gossett * G Cleveland Browns
Andrew Billings DT Cleveland Browns
Drake Dorbeck T Cleveland Browns
Malcolm Pridgeon OG Cleveland Browns
Maurice Canday CB Dallas Cowboys
Jamize Olawale FB Dallas Cowboys
Stephen Guidry WR Dallas Cowboys
Ja’Wuan James OT Denver Broncos
Kyle Peko DL Denver Broncos
Geronimo Allison WR Detroit Lions
Russell Bodine C Detroit Lions
John Atkins DT Detroit Lions
Devin Funchess WR Green 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 RB Kansas City Chiefs
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif OG Kansas City Chiefs
Lucas Niang OL Kansas City Chiefs
Ukeme Eligwe LB Las Vegas Raiders
D.J. Killings DB Las Vegas Raiders
Jeremiah Valoaga DE Las Vegas Raiders
Chandler Brewer* OL Los Angeles Rams
Albert Wilson WR Miami Dolphins
Allen Hurns WR Miami Dolphins
Michael Pierce* NT Minnesota Vikings
Patrick Chung S New England Patriots
Brandon Bolden RB 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 OL New York Giants
Sam Beal CB New York Giants
Da'Mari Scott WR New York Giants
Leo Koloamatangi OL New York Jets
Josh Doctson WR New York Jets
C.J. Mosley LB New York Jets
Marquise Goodwin WR Philadelphia 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* OL Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Anthony McKinney OL Tennessee Titans*
Josh Harvey-Clemons LB Washington
Caleb Brantley* DL Washington

* - 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.