NFL coaches could be back at the office soon

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced a two-week extension of the league's virtual off-season on Thursday, but coaches could be allowed back at team facilities soon.

A report posted on NFL.com cited a memo from Goodell to the league's 32 teams in which he said coaches might be permitted to work out of team training facilities as soon as next week.

"We expect that next week clubs will be permitted to include members of their coaching staffs among the employees permitted to resume work in the club facility," Goodell wrote. "We are actively working with governors and other state and local authorities in those stats that have not yet announced definitive plans and will confirm the precise date on which coaches can return to the facility as soon as possible."

The NFL is aiming to open the 2020 season on schedule on 10 September, but normal off-season activities have been curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Clubs facilities, ordered closed on 25 March, began reopening earlier this month with strict limits on the number of staff allowed in.

Coaches and healthy players were barred, with only players needing medical treatment allowed.

Goodell's memo also noted that the league is working with the NFL Players Association "on developing protocols that will allow at least some players" to return to club facilities before the virtual offseason programme concludes.

Typically in May teams would have players working out on fields and weight rooms in club facilities with an eye to starting pre-season training camps in July.