Eagles' Slay: 'We shouldn't have had' an NFL season amid pandemic

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay believes the NFL shouldn't have even started its season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"My true opinion, I felt like we shouldn't have even had one (season) because of what was going on. It's a difficult time," Slay said Wednesday when addressing the recent positive tests across the league, according to Tim McManus of ESPN.

"We shouldn't have had (a season)," Slay added moments later. "But it is what it is. We'll go to work and get it done. If there's a way we can play, I'll go play."

A coronavirus outbreak hit several members of the Tennessee Titans recently, which forced the league to move their Week 4 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers and possibly their upcoming matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

Additionally, the Patriots have placed three players on the reserve/COVID-19 list this week, including quarterback Cam Newton and cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Slay said he based his decision to play on the Eagles' and NFL's established COVID-19 protocols.

"They came up with a great game plan to have us in the building," he said, according to Reuben Frank of NBC Sports. "Before then I was thinking to myself, 'How are they going to do this?'

"Now I feel comfortable doing it because of the fact that I'm getting tested every day."

Over 60 players opted out before the campaign began, including Philadelphia's recently-acquired wide receiver Marquise Goodwin.

Slay, 29, is playing his first season with the Eagles this year after a seven-season stint with the Detroit Lions. The three-time Pro Bowler, who inked a three-year, $50-million deal in the offseason, has amassed 20 tackles and two pass breakups through four games with Philadelphia.