Notes: NFL combine schedule changes spark player health concerns

Athlete management firms are in talks with the league regarding player safety during the combine.

Changes to the upcoming NFL Combine schedule are causing health and safety concerns among player representation.

The 2022 NFL scouting combine will now feature players doing measurements, bench press, and on-field workouts on the same day. In the past, each section was completed on a separate day.

According to CBS Sports, player agents and team executives are concerned this might jeopardize players’ health or performance. The news outlet reports the changes were made after previous years’ prospects complained about the amount of time spent in Indianapolis.

“The issue there is players may tire themselves out from the bench press and thus their on-field workouts suffer. There’s a belief this new schedule will lead to many players skipping the bench press in favor of on-field work. The players could always use their pro days for benching or, as always, any additional on-field work they please,” CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports.

Additionally, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported another change includes the implementation of a “bubble” that prevents players from working with trainers and therapists before their workouts.

Schefter reported athlete management firm Athletes First is in talks with the NFL and the NFL Players Association regarding these changes.

Following a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the combine is scheduled for March 1-7 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• The Lions continue to celebrate and honor Black History Month.

• The Detroit News’ Justin Rogers releases his first of three mock drafts heading into next month’s combine. ($)

• Just gonna leave this here……

• Dave Birkett for the Detroit Free Press takes a deeper dive into Ben Johnson’s past — from his days as a high school quarterback in Asheville, North Carolina to becoming the Lions’ new offensive coordinator.($)

• While all set at punter and long snapper, the Lions went through a rotation of kickers this season. Mlive’s Benjamin Raven offers five specialists in the draft who may be a fit for the Lions.

• For supporters still basking in the glow of Sunday.

• NBC released its Super Bowl ratings chart and Detroit came in as the city with the second highest amount of viewers. The Freep’s Shawn Windsor ponders our favorite hypothetical question: what would happen if the Lions — the entire team, not a former quarterback — were to win a Super Bowl? ($)

• Some (paid!) internship opportunities with the Lions.

• Our fearless leader Jeremy joined the Woodward Sports folks (around the 44-minute mark) as well as The Questionable Podcast if you’d like to check those out.