Jacksonville Jaguars: NFLPA urges players to stop private group workouts

The NFLPA is asking the Jacksonville Jaguars and other NFL teams to halt any kind of group workouts until the start of training camp.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic which is still affected professional sports, including the NFL, the league’s Players Association is urging players to end their private group workouts at this time. That means the Jacksonville Jaguars and the other 31 teams will have to scrap part of the preparation for the 2020 NFL season.

It’s not uncommon for teammates to get together during the offseason, especially after the end of the offseason training program to work on drills and learn the nuances of a new offensive installation. Quarterback Gardner Minshew will be asked to take what he has learned in the installation of the West Coast offense designed by Jay Gruden and apply it this season.

Because of the virtual offseason, the team has been forced to work with, everything has been installed without the use of the practice field to see it in moving parts.

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Now, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the NFL have been told to halt potential meetings with players to get a leg up on training camp that is still a month away, possibly longer.

"Per Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com, “NFLPA medical director Dr. Thom Mayer released a statement Saturday recommending players to stop “practicing together” until the start of training camps in late July.”"

The focus of the Jaguars offense will be on Minshew, who had a solid rookie season with 21 touchdowns and 3,271 yards in passing last season. He told the local media when he met with them via Zoom at the end of May he knows there is plenty of work on and to improve with his game.

"“I’m still going to work the same way,” Minshew said. “I’m still going to lead the same way. I had conversations with [General Manager] David Caldwell and said, ‘Do what you think is best for this team.’ I believe I’m going to give us the best chance to win no matter what.“I just have to prove that every day and I’m excited for the opportunity to be able to prove that.”"

Waiting to get on the practice field may still be the hardest part of this offseason.

The NFL is still working toward a full season of football starting on time this year. However, with rising cases of the Coronavirus and the impact it is currently having on the NFL, Meyer is urging everyone to remain cautious and avoid the possibility of it spreading in a group setting.

"“Please be advised that it is our consensus medical opinion that in light of the increase in COVID-19 cases in certain states that no players should be engaged in practicing together in private workouts,” Mayer wrote. “Our goal is to have all players and your families as healthy as possible in the coming months.“We are working on the best mitigation procedures at team facilities for both training camps and the upcoming season, and believe that it is in the best interest of all players that we advise against any voluntary joint practices before training camp commences.”"

The Jacksonville Jaguars have restructured their offense with new playmakers add to the roster this offseason. Minshew will walk into the season and the starter, which should make things a bit easier on the offensive side of the ball. Head coach Doug Marrone and Caldwell brought in help at the tight and wide receiver positions through free agency and the NFL Draft.