The NFL and the NFLPA reportedly are still discussing the health and safety protocols they will implement as they attempt to start the 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. And if the league's medical experts get their way, players will wear mouth shields on the field this season.
ESPN on Monday shared a photo of the mouth shields players could wear in 2020 if approved after more testing. According to the report, the mouth shields that attach to facemasks on helmets are being distributed to all 32 teams this week so players can give them a try. They are being developed by Oakley, the league's official partner for visors, and are not yet required.
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A first look at the Oakley Mouth Shield, which is being shipped out to NFL teams this week in hopes of protecting players from COVID-19. https://t.co/ubrwi6iOfr
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) July 13, 2020
An explanation of how the mouth shields work, via ESPN:
"The Oakley Mouth Shield (is) a product designed by doctors and engineers from the NFL and NFL Players Association to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus on the field of play. ... The Oakley Prizm Lens Technology used by skiers, military personnel and, most recently, NFL players for enhanced color and contrast in their visors is featured in the new design.
"Plastic sheets extend down and attach to the face guard. There are airways and openings on the mouth shield but none that allow the direct transmission of droplets."
NFLPA medical director Dr. Thom Mayer told ESPN that visibility and breathability are the two anticipated issues with the mouth shields once more players start testing them. But ESPN noted that "the current design is the result of an iterative process based in large part on player feedback, with comfort and functionality top of mind along with protection."
Said NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills: "We hope that we're going to land on a product design that's something that everyone would want to wear, because they'll see the value and want that additional protection without any detriment to performance."
The NFL is hoping to have all teams report for training camps on or by July 28, but the league and the players have not yet agreed upon a complete set of health and safety protocols, delaying the confirmation of reporting dates.
As of now, the 2020 NFL regular season is still scheduled to start Thursday, Sept. 10 when the Chiefs host the Texans.