The NFL’s idea to place draft prospects in a “bubble” for the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine next month in Indianapolis is dead after just two days.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the league sent a message to the players invited to the Combine Monday, notifying them of the change in policy. Players attending will now be allowed to enter restricted areas at their own risk.
Here’s the full text of the message that just went to players invited to next week’s Combine. pic.twitter.com/HnqeEfDumk
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 21, 2022
The Combine previously sent a memo to the players Saturday that said they would be confined to a bubble due to COVID-19.
“Players will be restricted to secure Combine venues during their entire time in Indianapolis for their protection,” the memo reads. “Players who violated this policy at any time will be disqualified from further participation and sent home.”
The memo was wildly unpopular among the players attending, as agents representing over 150 prospects were reportedly organizing a boycott of all testing, on-field workouts and interviews if the “bubble” restrictions weren’t changed.
As OutKick’s Armando Salguero reported Monday morning, the easing of the “bubble” was expected to come sooner rather than later. The new memo states that mask wearing is “recommended” rather than “required” while on site. Masks, however, are still required for air travel and during medical exams at the Combine.
With the “bubble” officially burst, the Combine is set to get underway March 1-March 7.
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