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A total of 66 players have decided to opt out of the 2020 NFL season due to Covid-19. Nearly half of the list was compiled of lineman including former Colorado Buffaloes’ Nate Solder and Josh Tupou.
Solder made his intention known well-before Thursday’s deadline. The All-Pro left tackle signed a four-year, $62 million contract with the New York Giants before last season. Due to serious concerns surrounding Covid-19 with preexisting conditions, Solder decided the risk wasn’t worth playing this year. Solder’s son is currently fighting cancer, while Nate beat testicular cancer during his third year in the league in 2014.
Giants OT Nate Solder announced he has has opted out of the 2020 season. pic.twitter.com/JJuYaPNH0m
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 29, 2020
Tupou made his announcement to forgo the 2020 season last week. The defensive tackle started seven games for the Cincinnati Bengals last season with 27 tackles and a forced fumble. Tupou signed a one-year deal with the team in the off season. The move to opt out will designate him as a restricted free agent in 2021.
Only three teams had no players opting out: the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Chargers.