Long shots in NFL face even longer odds during pandemic

FILE - Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019, in Minneapolis. The coronavirus pandemic scuttled most college pro days, wiped out all rookie minicamps and obliterated the NFL's traditional offseason. "Honestly, I probably wouldn't be in the NFL if this would've happened my rookie year," said Vikings two-time Pro Bowl receiver Adam Thielen, who went undrafted in 2013 out of Minnesota State but parlayed an impressive weekend at a rookie minicamp into a practice squad job and eventually a roster spot.(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)

FILE - New England Patriots defensive back Malcolm Butler wipes his face with a towel during an NFL football training camp practice at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, July 27, 2014, in Foxborough, Mass. Butler was an "invited tryout" player who got his chance in May of that year. The coronavirus pandemic scuttled most college pro days, wiped out all rookie minicamps and obliterated the NFL's traditional offseason, making it became almost impossible for long shots to make their mark and, consequently, the 53-man roster. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

FILE - New England Patriots strong safety Malcolm Butler (21) intercepts a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette (83) during the second half of NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. Butler was an "invited tryout" player who got his chance in May of 2014. Nine months later, his first career interception saved the Super Bowl for the Patriots when he dug inside Seahawks receiver Ricardo Lockette to pick off Russell Wilson's pass from the 1 with 20 seconds remaining to preserve New England's 28-24 win. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

FILE - Former NFL player Terrell Davis delivers his speech during induction ceremonies at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, in Canton, Ohio. Davis is the only running back with back-to-back Super Bowl titles, an MVP trophy, a Super Bowl MVP honor, a 2,000-yard season and seven consecutive playoff wins in which he topped 100 yards rushing, a man John Elway credited with helping him finally win it all after three Super Bowl losses.(AP Photo/David Richard, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2016, file photo, Super Bowl XXXII MVP Terrell Davis carries the Lombardi Trophy onto the field prior to an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers, in Denver. The coronavirus pandemic scuttled most college pro days, wiped out all rookie minicamps and obliterated the NFL's traditional offseason, making it became almost impossible for long shots to make their mark and, consequently, the 53-man roster. Among them: Hall of Famer Terrell Davis. Davis ended the frustrations of a long-suffering franchise, city and larger-than-life quarterback who could never win the big game before he came along. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)

FILE - Minnesota Vikings' Adam Thielen (19) catches a touchdown against Philadelphia Eagles' Ronald Darby (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Philadelphia. The coronavirus pandemic scuttled most college pro days, wiped out all rookie minicamps and obliterated the NFL's traditional offseason. Thielen went undrafted in 2013 out of Minnesota State but parlayed an impressive weekend at a rookie minicamp into a practice squad job and eventually a roster spot. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

FILE - Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen celebrates after catching a 23-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. The coronavirus pandemic scuttled most college pro days, wiped out all rookie minicamps and obliterated the NFL's traditional offseason. "Honestly, I probably wouldn't be in the NFL if this would've happened my rookie year," said Vikings two-time Pro Bowl receiver Adam Thielen, who went undrafted in 2013 out of Minnesota State but parlayed an impressive weekend at a rookie minicamp into a practice squad job and eventually a roster spot.(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)