Commissioner Roger Goodell: NFL committed to completing schedule

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday the league remains committed to finishing the regular season as scheduled.

Goodell also said on a conference call that while the NFL is considering a bubble format for the playoffs, it wouldn't necessarily resemble what the NHL and NBA used in successfully in completing their seasons.

"It will take partnership and discipline to complete this season. I'm confident we'll be able to do it," Goodell said, referring the NFL Players Association, the clubs and the players.

Added Dawn Aponte, the league's chief football administrative officer: "In terms of the guidelines we have used, our guiding principle is medical and we are trying to ensure we are playing all games safely. Providing we can do so within 17 weeks, that is what our objective is and will continue to be."

Goodell and Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL's chief medical officer, noted that a bubble concept can have many iterations.

"We don't see the bubble as most refer to it in one location," Goodell said. "We feel strongly that our protocols are working. We're willing to adjust and adapt those protocols, take additional steps. But I don't see us doing the bubble in the sense that the media focuses on it."

Sills pointed to the need "to recognize whenever we think about structuring something for the teams, look at the risks and benefits. There is no plan that will be completely risk free. We have to make what we think is the best and safest decision."

• The Browns are dealing with another COVID-19 case after an unidentified staff member tested positive. The team closed its facility Wednesday to conduct contact tracing, which has become routine the past two weeks because of several other positive tests.

• Tyrod Taylor will not file a grievance against the Chargers over the medical incident that led to the quarterback ultimately losing his starting job. Taylor suffered a punctured lung Sept. 20 while receiving a pregame injection meant to help him deal with pain from a previous rib injury. Rookie Justin Herbert was forced to start against Kansas City when Taylor was unable to play. Herbert has been the team's starter since then, playing well enough to emerge among the league leaders in several passing categories.

• Former Washington Football Team and 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers admitted to participating in a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud the league's health care benefit program. Rogers pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiring to defraud a program set up to reimburse former players for out-of-pocket medical expenses.

• The Lions put cornerback Desmond Trufant (hamstring) on injured reserve.