The NFL Scouting Combine is the latest to fall victim to Covid-19 cancellation. Well, the annual showcase isn’t completely cancelled, but it will be a far cry from the late February event that we’re used to. Teams were informed on Monday that the Combine would be changing formats in the interests of public health as the nation continues to struggle with the spread of Covid-19.
In lieu of in-person workouts in Indianapolis, workouts will instead be conducted on individual pro days on college campuses. The league has committed to working with schools to encourage consistency in testing and drills across pro days, per the memo the NFL sent out today. Additionally, all clubs will have access to video footage of those workouts, irregardless of whether the club is represented at a particular workout. A separate Player Personnel memorandum will be sent out containing rules governing the timing and testing of draft eligible players and detailing club personnel attendance at pro days.
A group of club physicians and athletic trainers are working to develop a plan to obtain medical information on each of the Combine invitees. In-person examinations will take place in early April over a two or three-day period at one or more designated locations for a certain number of prospects. Each team will be permitted one physician and one athletic trainer to conduct these in-person exams. Other prospects will be interviewed virtually by club medical staffs and have testing done at labs and medical facilities near their residence.
Club interviews and psychological testing and assessments will be conducted virtually. Invited prospects will have scheduled virtual media interviews with NFL and club media as well as NFL-affiliated broadcast partners. Colleges will be asked to conduct their own virtual media availabilities with Combine invitees.
