As the NFL attempts to navigate the pandemic and start its season on time, 14 former IU football players have reported to training camps around the country.
The league calendar from now until the start of the season on Sept. 10 looks nothing like a normal NFL summer.
Players reported to camp earlier this week and have undergone a series of COVID-19 tests.
This is how the NFL describes the rest of the preseason:
From Aug. 3 through 11, players will have an acclimation period — 60 minutes in the weight room and 60 minutes of on-field conditioning. In addition to strength-and-conditioning work, teams can have 60-minute walk-throughs on each of the first four days and 75-minute walk-throughs on each of the last four days. Aug. 8 is a mandatory off day.
A gradual ramp-up period runs from Aug. 12 through 16, with Aug. 15 being a mandatory off day. The first practice can be 90 minutes, with 15-minute increases each day, up to a maximum of 120 minutes. Players are allowed to be on the field 3.5 hours daily, so the remainder of time will be spent in walk-throughs. On the 12th and 13th, players can wear helmets. On the 14th and 16th, they can wear helmets and shells but have no live contact.
Finally, from Aug. 17 through Sept. 6, 14 padded practices will be allowed.
The entire preseason exhibition schedule has been canceled.
Teams can have as many as 90 players on the roster until Aug. 16, when everybody must have 80 players. Ultimately the teams must pare down their rosters to the league’s final expanded 55-man rosters. Practice squad roster sizes are expected to be expanded to 16 players to help teams navigate the pandemic.
Here are the 14 former IU football players participating in the process and hoping to make a roster or practice squad.
Nate Sudfeld (QB) – Philadelphia Eagles
Indiana’s all-time passing yards and touchdowns leader enters his fifth season in the league. He will compete for the backup role in Philadelphia.
Tevin Coleman (RB) – San Francisco 49ers
Coleman enters his sixth year in the league and his second with San Francisco. He will once again compete for carries in a crowded backfield.
Jordan Howard (RB) – Miami Dolphins
Howard signed with Miami during the offseason and will spend his fifth NFL season in south Florida.
Cody Latimer (WR) – Washington
Latimer enters year seven in the league and his first in Washington on the Commissioner’s exempt list after an offseason incident.
Brandon Knight (OL) – Dallas Cowboys
Knight will look to build on his first season in Dallas as he tries to solidify a consistent spot on the 53-man roster.
Jason Spriggs (OL) – Chicago Bears
After some challenging years in Green Bay, Spriggs has a fresh start in Chicago in his fifth NFL season.
Dan Feeney (OL) – Los Angeles Chargers
Feeney has started every game over the last two years. He enters year four with the Chargers expecting to continue that streak.
Wes Martin (OL) – Washington
Martin got some opportunities in his rookie season in Washington and will look to crack the starting lineup in year two.
Simon Stepaniak (OL) – Green Bay Packers
Stepaniak was drafted by Green Bay in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Rodger Saffold (OL) – Tennessee Titans
Saffold is IU’s longest tenured active NFL player. He enters year 11 in the NFL and his second season with the Titans.
Nick Westbrook (WR) – Tennessee Titans
Westbrook signed with the Titans as an undrafted free agent in the spring.
Dan Godsil (LS) – Cincinnati Bengals
Godsil will once again try to make it with the Bengals after a close call during the 2019 preseason.
Ian Thomas (TE) – Carolina Panthers
With Greg Olsen gone, Thomas has a chance to become the Panthers’ featured tight end as he enters year three in the league.
Robert McCray (DL) – Cleveland Browns
McCray spent time with the Browns during 2019 and is back for another go in 2020.
Update: Chris Covington was listed on the Dallas roster on the NFL website but not on the Cowboys’ official team site. He was released by the team in the spring.
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