Chiefs now among teams altering pre-draft travel plans because of coronavirus
Growing concerns over the COVID-19 coronavirus have prompted some NFL teams to adjust their travel plans during the pre-draft process, the NFL Network reported Wednesday afternoon.
The Chiefs are now among them.
The Chiefs are in the process of altering plans for team scouts from flying to utilizing driving as a mode of travel while staying in communication with the league and medical experts, a team source told The Star. The Chiefs recently attended pro day workouts at Kansas, Kansas State and Georgia Tech. Missouri’s pro day is next week.
The NFL is entering a busy time of its league calendar year, with team representatives attending pro day workouts and conducting on-campus private workouts to evaluate draft-eligible prospects ahead of the April 23-25 NFL Draft in Las Vegas.
Teams are also allowed to bring in a maximum of 30 prospects for pre-draft visits at their respective training facilities.
But the spread of this coronavirus across the country has prompted some NFL teams to rethink their approach.
According to NFL Network, the Pittsburgh Steelers have limited commercial flights for coaches and team scouts as a precaution. Yahoo Sports reports the Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles have temporarily pulled their respective coaching staffs off the road. The Chiefs could eventually follow their lead.
Rising concerns have resulted in changes to sporting events at the professional and college levels across the country. The NHL, MLB and MLS now limit locker room access, and the Big 12 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments in Kansas City have closed locker rooms to reporters; interviews will be conducted in designated “interview rooms.”
The NBA on Wednesday night announced a suspension of the season in the wake of a Utah Jazz player initially testing positive for coronavirus.
The Ivy League on Tuesday canceled its basketball tournament outright, citing coronavirus concerns, while the College Basketball Invitation tournament announced Wednesday morning the cancellation of its annual event.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 1:30 PM.
