NFL won't mandate use of local playoff bubbles

The NFL has decided against using local playoff bubbles, the league said in a memo distributed Tuesday.

"With the exception of the night before the game when players and coaches are required to stay in the team hotel, clubs may not require players and staff to stay at a hotel in their local area," read the statement.

The league made the decision based on its analysis of the frequency of positive COVID-19 cases across the NFL compared to the risk of significant spread between players and staff when gathered at one hotel for an extended period.

Teams are still welcome to voluntarily stay at a hotel for the postseason.

The league requires players and staff to wear their tracking devices when staying at a hotel until they return to their rooms for the evening.

Wearing masks, physical distancing, and refraining from gathering will still be mandated.

The NBA and NHL both successfully instituted bubbles for their 2020 playoffs. There are three weeks remaining in the NFL's regular season.