ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins, Murray voice concerns over NFL safety plan

Jul 19, 2020, 10:44 AM | Updated: 1:56 pm

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and quarterback Kyler Murray joined in with athletes from across the NFL calling on the league to address its safety protocols amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Using #WeWantToPlay on social media platforms on Sunday, Hopkins, Murray and others voiced their concerns about the NFL not having a clear plan for player health and family safety.

“Do y’all want to see this?” Hopkins said with a photo of he and Murray. “Before players can go back to work the NFL needs to address the health and safety concerns from their experts so we can remain healthy.

“If you want the Cardinals to have a full season this year help us by telling the NFL! #WeWantToPlay.”

Murray shared the same sentiment.

“It’s crazy to hear the NFL has yet to address major health and safety issues with training camp being two weeks away,” Murray said on Twitter.

“Make it happen, NFL. Keep us safe! #WeWantToPlay.”

The response from NFL players comes a day after the league announced training camp dates for the 2020-21 season. Rookies are to report Tuesday, quarterbacks and injured players arrive to camps Thursday. All other players are to report to camp on July 28.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt said that not only are the players in the dark about coronavirus testing, they’re unsure what the league plans to do in handling positive cases or if the NFL will provide a strong and fair opt-out clause for those with families at high risk.

From a playing standpoint, Watt added players still “have not been granted the full and proper training camp acclimation period necessary as recommended by the medical and training staffs” and they don’t know if preseason games will even be played this season.

Former Cardinal and current Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu used his recent Super Bowl win to help put things in perspective.

“Being a champion made me realize how important team is and also how important our families are to our team success,” Mathieu said. “It’s a family game. #WeWantToPlay so let’s find a way to protect us players & our families.”

Below are some of the other responses from around the league:

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