#WeWantToPlay: Carson Wentz, Zach Ertz Among Philadelphia Eagles Urging NFL to Better Address Coronavirus Safety

Several Eagles players were part of a social media blitz from NFL players on Sunday afternoon, urging the NFL to come up with a better plan to keep them healthy as the league prepares for training camps during the coronavirus pandemic.

Carson Wentz, Zach Ertz and other Eagles joined a group of NFL stars that also included Drew Brees, J.J. Watt, Russell Wilson and others criticizing the NFL's current plan … or lack of a plan.

The NFL sent a memo to teams on Saturday giving the go-ahead for training camps this week. The Eagles' rookies are scheduled to report to the NovaCare Complex on Tuesday and the full team is expected to report by July 28.

But players are still waiting for the answers to several key questions about the details of the league's return during COVID-19.

Players on Sunday used the hashtag #WeWantToPlay:

We all want to play this season, but we need to stay safe in order to actually have a season! It’s time for the @NFL to step up and do their part so that us players can be safe at work and go play the game we love! #WeWantToPlay
— Carson Wentz (@cj_wentz) July 19, 2020

Playing football and feeling safe at work SHOULD NOT be mutually exclusive! Time is running down and we need answers #WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/YPboNL47Mf
— Zach Ertz (@ZERTZ_86) July 19, 2020

Why isn’t the NFL listening to the recommendation from their own joint committee? If we want to have a full season it will have to look different. @NFL make the necessary changes.   #WeWantToPlay
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) July 19, 2020

Players are the game of football
If we aren’t healthy you can’t watch football this year @nfl needs to do their part so we can all enjoy the best sport in the world. #wewanttoplay
— Rodney McLeod (@Rodney_McLeod4) July 19, 2020

Its crazy to hear that the NFL has yet to address major health issues with training camp being a couple days away. We ready to play football. Make it happen @NFL Keep us Safe! #WeWantToPlay
— Brandon Graham (@brandongraham55) July 19, 2020

It’s crazy to hear the NFL has yet to address major health and safety issues with training camp being 2 weeks away. We want to play football. Make it happen @NFL. Keep us safe! https://t.co/Q3iQITn72f
— Desean Jackson (@DeSeanJackson10) July 19, 2020

Listen to us!!! #WeWantToPlay
— Miles Sanders (@BoobieMilesXXIV) July 19, 2020

NFL Network has offered a little more insight to the negotiations between the NFL and NFLPA, reporting the joint medical committee recommended a 21-day acclimation period.

The preseason has been chopped in half from four games to two, but the NFLPA wants the entire preseason eliminated.

That's on top of remaining questions over opt-out language, testing frequency, etc. Clubs are enforcing management rights by setting reporting dates; players must show up or face discipline. If there's a grievance, it'd be over unsafe work environment, as players' posts portend.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 19, 2020

The Eagles have been working through ways to make training camp work in 2020 and head coach Doug Pederson previously brought up the idea of using Lincoln Financial Field in addition to the NovaCare Complex.

After missing the entire schedule of spring practices - they were moved to a virtual format - Pederson has said the Eagles will need a full five-to-six-week training camp to prepare for the season. The Eagles 2020 regular season is scheduled to begin on Sept. 13 in Washington.

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