Report: NFL, NFLPA at odds over classifying COVID-19 as non-football injury

As the NFL and NFLPA continue to discuss coronavirus protocols and guidelines for the 2020 season, the NFL's classification of COVID-19 is an issue.

The league's proposal would consider COVID-19 a "non-football injury," which is an obstacle to an agreement, a source told Dan Graziano of ESPN.

The players' association is reportedly against that proposal, as teams aren't required to pay athletes placed on the non-football injury list.

Classifying COVID-19 as a non-football injury isn't the only point of disagreement between the two sides.

Players instantly rejected a reported NFL proposal that 35% of player salaries be held in escrow to help manage costs in case revenue is affected by the pandemic. They're also opposed to the reported plan to trim this year's preseason from four to two games, as the NFLPA wants to eliminate the 2020 preseason.

The NFLPA has reportedly also asked the league for daily COVID-19 testing, compensation for players who opt out of the season for coronavirus-related reasons, and a flat salary cap in 2021.

The mandatory use of coronavirus-related face shields is reportedly another contentious issue, as players would prefer to voluntarily test them in training camp and offer feedback.