The National Football League Players Association voted unanimously to request the cancellation of the 2020 preseason, sending a memo to NFL executive committee last Friday.
It was announced on Thursday by the NFL that it planned to hold a preseason shortened from four games to two because of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the players' union memo, the league held a conference call that night to discuss its rationale.
The NFL said that it kept two preseason games to facilitate COVID-19 testing and to provide an abbreviated "acclimation period" for players to help prevent injury.
Responding in its memo, the NFLPA wrote: "The NFL offered no medical justification that supports their decision to retain two preseason games, nor any medical justification for shortening the previously agreed acclimation period, which is medically recommended for avoidance of injuries during the season."
The league has yet to respond publicly to the players' request.
The NFL regular season is scheduled to kick off on Thursday, September 10.