Posted 3 hours ago | By Angie Kozak
The 2020 NFL season is set to kick off on September 10, with the Texans visiting the Chiefs on “Thursday Night Football.” The NFL has held steadfast that the upcoming campaign will occur as scheduled, but not every player will be joining their respective teams. Part of the NFLPA’s agreement with the league allows players to opt out of the season if they are uncomfortable due to coronavirus concerns or fall into a “high risk” category. The reigning Super Bowl champions saw their longtime starting guard, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, be the first player to decide to skip this season, and his absence will be felt. Who else has decided to sit out this season?
Marcus Gilbert, Arizona Cardinals
Offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert missed all of last season with a knee injury after the Cardinals acquired him in a trade with the Steelers in March 2019. Injuries have plagued Gilbert his entire career, as he has played in just 12 games since 2017 and has played a full 16-game slate just twice since he entered the league in 2011 as a second-round pick. He also received a PEDs-related suspension in 2017. The Cardinals will likely hold a competition between rookie Josh Jones and Justin Murray to see who will end up protecting Kyler Murray’s blindside.
Andre Smith, Baltimore Ravens
Offensive lineman Andre Smith joined the Ravens in January 2020 as a depth signing, then inked a one-year extension with the team in February. He would have been a depth lineman this season as well. But the Ravens will have to look for depth elsewhere after his opt-out.
De’Anthony Thomas, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens confirmed the opt-out of De’Anthony Thomas, who worked as a return specialist for Baltimore last season, appearing in nine games for the team as a midseason pickup. Thomas averaged 23.7 yards per return in the Ravens’ postseason matchup against the Titans.
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