NFL coaches allowed to return to team facilities on Friday

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

Commissioner Roger Goodell told 32 clubs on Thursday that coaching staffs may from team complexes starting Friday. Previously, only up to 75 people per day could be at 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 orwise received necessary permission from state and local governments to reopen its facility,” Goodell wrote.

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

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

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