COVID-19 has effected the entire globe, but has hit the United States the hardest. We continue to see it’s affect on the sports world. The NFL hasn’t been impacted yet, but now it starting to run wild through the NFL. Here is a list of players opting out of the 2020 NFL season due to fears of COVID-19. The list will continue to grow and we will continue to update it as it does.
Players who have Opted out as of 8/1/20:
CJ Mosley- LB- Jets: This one is going to hurt them badly. One of the best players on roster is now going to be gone which will take a win or two for me from their final record.
Marquise Lee- WR- Patriots: Yikes another Patriot and a needed weapon for Cam Newton led offense. This is bad news.
John Atkins- DT- Lions: The Lions first player to opt out becomes the third NFC North DT to do so, which is an odd stat but interesting. He’s a backup, fill-in for rest type player. Replaceable in free agency.
Damien Williams- RB- Chiefs: The Chiefs drafted Clyde-Helaire to be their lead back splitting time with Williams, time for a new game plan as Helaire can’t be their lone back.
Drew Forbes- OG- Browns: The Browns 6th round pick in 2019 was bound to be a backup but had a shot for the starting right guard role.
Drake Dorbeck- OT- Browns: A UDFA signing for the Browns, I personally believed bound for a backup role will now have to hope to prove it next season.
Nate Solder- OT- Giants: A questionable starter but you can only do so much with the roster on your talent. Solder has a son with cancer and him opting out is 100% understandable. Be safe Nate.
Jason Vander Laan- TE- Saints: The second Saints player and tight end. Wasn’t a favorite to really make the roster but you never know.
Jordan Mack- LB- Panthers: The first player on the Panthers roster to opt out is an undrafted free agent. He was probably not going to make the roster so no real impact here.
Leo Koloamatangi- OL- Jets: A practice squad player. This will have little impact overall.
Devin Funchess- WR- Packers: Funchess was signed to be the #2 opposite of DeVante Adams and one of the reasons it was believed they didn’t draft a single WR. This one hurts Rodgers and the Packers offense significantly.
Michael Pierce- DT- Vikings: This one hurts. Pierce was signed from Baltimore to replace Linval Joseph. Him sitting out is going to have a massive impact on their roster.
Marquise Goodwin- WR- Eagles: This is another big loss especially for a Eagles recieving corps that has struggled to find success as of late.
Star Lotulelei- DT- Bills: Star was used as the Bills main run stopper but has opted to sit out this season. His teammates don’t seem to be too happy about it as one has accused him of opting out to get his guaranteed money incase the season is cancelled in which he wouldn’t get it.
Eddie Goldman- DT- Bears: This one is HUGE. The Bears defense is going to get significantly weaker due to the loss of Goldman as he is an anchor to their front 7.
Anthony McKinney- OT- Titans: The Titans UDFA signing from TCU has opted to not play this season, he was a bubble player, but would have added depth to their offensive line.
Patrick Chung- Safety- Patriots: This is a significant loss to the Pats defense as Chung has been a reliable piece in the secondary for 11 years.
Cole Wick- TE- Saints: A bubble player who will now have to worry about finding a job in the future.
Eddie Vanderdoes- DT- Texans: A guy who hasn’t found his niche in the NFL will now most likely be moving on from the NFL, taking a full season off will not help his case in the league.
Kyle Peko- DT- Broncos: A good depth player for the defensive line, but his wife has had recent battles with cancer. While in remission it still puts her at risk and better be safe than sorry.
Stephen Guidry- WR- Cowboys: A UDFA player for the Cowboys will now have to hope he gets a roster invite next year to prove he is worth it.
Andre Smith- OT- Ravens: Smith is a league vet who was going to provide the Ravens with offensive line depth, this one could hurt if any starters go down or opt out themselves.
Dont’a Hightower- LB- Patriots: This one is going to hurt bad. The Patriots leader and signal caller will now be at home watching his team as he has opted out. This is going to be bad for the team.
Brandon Bolden- RB- Patriots: The Pats are losing a locker room leader and special teams great. This won’t be huge, but will have an affect on this roster.
Marcus Cannon- OT- Patriots: Cannon was expected to be the Patriots starting right tackle, but as a cancer survivor, beating non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2011, he feels it best to be safe.
Danny Vitale- FB- Patriots: The Pats signed Vitale to replace Develin and now he has opted out of the 2020 season. The Patriots have 2 others on roster who can play fullback.
Najee Toran- C/G- Patriots: Najee was bound for either returning to the practice squad, but hoped to find himself a backup role on the offensive line.
Caleb Brantley- DL- Washington Football team: Brantley was on the IR for 15 games last season and hoped to find a depth piece on this defensive line this season.
Maurice Canady- CB- Cowboys: Canady was expected to play a significant role on the Cowboys defense this year as their corners were weak this season, have now gotten weaker.
Chance Warmack- G- Seahawks: Warmack was expected to battle for, but most likely be a backup guard for the Seahawks offense. This one could hurt as the Seahawks offensive line has been bad over the years.
De’Anthony Thomas- WR- Ravens: Thomas wasn’t a lock for the Ravens roster though he was their kick returner most of last season. I believe the Ravens will be okay without him.
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif- G- Chiefs: Duvernay is the Chiefs starting right guard and has been for the last 5 years. He is a medical school graduate and assists as an orderly in a long-term care facility in the Montreal area. He said “I can’t allow myself to potentially transmit the virus in our communities to simply play the sport that I love. If I am to take risks, I will do it caring for the patients.” He was the first player to opt out for the 2020 season.
Feature image- Baltimore Sun
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