Amid talk of player boycotts, NFL scouting combine amends event's COVID-19 policies, procedures

The National Invitational Combine on Monday night sent a memo to all prospective NFL players attending next month's annual pre-draft event in Indianapolis, revising its policies and procedures regarding COVID-19 protocols.

The memo, obtained by ESPN's Adam Schefter, focuses on mask-wearing for both the players and medical personnel, as well as defining the event's secure areas, keys points of contention among players' agents.

«As has been the case throughout the pandemic, we continue to evolve our combine policies and procedures in consultation with medical experts,» the memo said. «While masks continue to be required for air travel and during medical exams at the combine (players and medical personnel), wearing a mask at other times while on site is recommended, but not required.

»We encourage all players to remain within the secure combine areas at all times for your safety. However, if you would like to leave the secure areas during free time in your schedule, you are now permitted to do so at your own risk."

The memo landed hours after the potential of player boycotts made news Monday morning. Sources told ESPN's Dan Graziano that a group of player agents were threatening to organize a boycott of certain key elements of the combine if its concerns about a COVID-19 «bubble» continued to be ignored.

But not all agents were in that group.

«I understand their grievances, and they want to take their trainers with them to the combine, and they might want access to their agent. They might have family members. And they may have an entire support group both for their physical and emotional health — and the NFL regulations seem unduly restrictive,» agent Leigh Steinberg said Monday. «Having said that, we will send our players