Josh Harvey-Clemons explains reason for opting out of NFL season

Washington Football Team announced Monday,that linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons has opted out of playing during the 2020 NFL season. Harvey-Clemons becomes the second Washington player to opt out due to concerns of the coronavirus.

Harvey-Clemons told Rhiannon Walker of the Athletic, his sons’ health is the reason he won’t play football this season.

The NFL is allowing a grace period for players to opt out of playing football during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent reports state Thursday is the deadline for players to choose not to play this season.

Players who opt out will receive a $150,000 stipend to in place of heir salaries for this season. Any player deemed to be high risk for the virus will receive a $350,000 stipend, according to Yahoo Sports.

Harvey-Clemons joins defensive end Caleb Brantley as Washington players whom opted out of playing this season. Brantley was listed as “high risk” on the transaction wire last week. Harvey-Clemons did not have such destination.

Harvey-Clemons entered 2020 on the final year of his rookie deal and would have made $825,000 if he made the 53-man roster, according to Over the Cap. However, the fourth-year pro would have faced stiff competition to make final cuts at linebacker.

Washington switched their base defense to 4-3. Jon Bostic re-signed this offseason and is the favorite to earn the starting Mike linebacker spot. The team also added Thomas Davis and Kevin Pierre-Louis in free agency and Khaleke Hudson in the draft. That’s in addition Cole Holcomb, Shaun Dion Hamilton and potentially Reuben Foster.

Last season all of Harvey-Clemons 153 snaps occurred on special teams.