Sixty-seven players so far have chosen to opt out of the 2020 NFL season due to COVID-19 concerns. The New England Patriots has the highest amount of players forgoing their spots in the team, with eight of their players opting out, followed by the Cleveland Browns with five. According to CBS Sports, players can opt out after the Aug. 6 NFL-imposed deadline [1] only if "a close family member gets seriously sick with COVID or if they themselves are newly diagnosed with a high-risk condition."

The first player to announce his decision was Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. The Kansas City Chiefs offencive lineman has a doctorate in medicine and helped out on the front lines of the pandemic [2] at a longterm care facility in Quebec near his hometown.

"Being at the frontline during this offseason has given me a different perspective [3] on this pandemic and the stress it puts on individuals and our healthcare system," Duvernay-Tardif shared on Instagram on July 24. "I cannot allow myself to potentially transmit the virus in our communities simply to play the sport that I love. If I am to take risks, I will do it caring for patients."

Other players cited concerns over the health of their loved ones. The Dallas Cowboys' Maurice Canady [4] simply wrote on Twitter, "Family first money second."

Keep reading for the full list of NFL player opt outs as of the deadline, according to ESPN [5] and CBS Sports [6].

NFL Player Opt-Out List For the 2020 Season

49ers

• Travis Benjamin, wide receiver
• Shon Coleman, offencive tackle
• Jake Brendel, centre

Bears

• Eddie Goldman, defencive tackle
• Jordan Lucas, safety

Bengals

• Isaiah Prince, offencive tackle
• Josh Tupou, defencive tackle

Bills

• E.J. Gaines, cornerback
• Star Lotulelei, defencive tackle

Broncos

• Ja'Wuan James, offencive tackle
• Kyle Peko, defencive tackle

Browns

• Andrew Billings, defencive tackle
• Drake Dorbeck, offencive tackle
• Drew Forbes, guard
• Colby Gossett, guard
• Malcolm Pridgeon, guard

Buccaneers

• Brad Seaton, offencive tackle

Cardinals

• Marcus Gilbert, offencive tackle

Chiefs

• Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, guard
• Lucas Niang, offencive tackle
• Damien Williams, running back

Colts

• Rolan Milligan, safety
• Skai Moore, linebacker
• Marvell Tell, safety

Cowboys

• Maurice Canady, cornerback
• Stephen Guidry, wide receiver
• Jamize Olawale, fullback

Dolphins

• Allen Hurns, wide receiver
• Albert Wilson, wide receiver

Eagles

• Marquise Goodwin, wide receiver

Giants

• Sam Beal, cornerback
• Da'Mari Scott, wide receiver
• Nate Solder, offencive tackle

Jaguars

• Lerentee McCray, linebacker
• Rashaan Melvin, cornerback
• Al Woods, defencive tackle

Jets

• Josh Doctson, wide receiver
• Leo Koloamatangi, offencive lineman
• C.J. Mosley, linebacker

Lions

• Geronimo Allison, wide receiver
• John Atkins, defencive tackle
• Russell Bodine, centre

Packers

• Devin Funchess, wide receiver

Panthers

• Jordan Mack, linebacker
• Christian Miller, linebacker

Patriots

• Brandon Bolden, running back
• Marcus Cannon, offencive tackle
• Patrick Chung, safety
• Dont'a Hightower, linebacker
• Matt LaCosse, tight end
• Marqise Lee, wide receiver
• Najee Toran, offencive lineman
• Danny Vitale, fullback

Raiders

• Ukeme Eligwe, linebacker
• D.J. Killings, cornerback
• Jeremiah Valoaga, defencive end

Rams

• Chandler Brewer, offencive tackle

Ravens

• Andre Smith, offencive tackle
• De'Anthony Thomas, wide receiver

Saints

• Jason Vander Laan, tight end
• Cole Wick, tight end

Seahawks

• Chance Warmack, guard

Texans

• Eddie Vanderdoes, defencive tackle

Titans

• Anthony McKinney, offencive tackle

Vikings

• Michael Pierce, defencive tackle

Washington Football Team

• Caleb Brantley, defencive tackle
• Josh Harvey-Clemons, linebacker

The NFL season is scheduled to begin on Sept. 10.