Just like in the rest of the United States, the NFL is encouraging players to get the COVID-19 vaccine. However player vaccination rates in the league are lagging and some teams have rather low rates.
According to The Washington Post’s Mark Maske, the Arizona Cardinals are one team with one of the lowest vaccination rates in the league.
The leaguewide rate of more than half of players being vaccinated (meaning they have received at least one vaccine dose) as of last week was confirmed by a person familiar with the situation. According to that person, 16 NFL teams have more than 50 of the 90 players on their rosters vaccinated. Three teams have 70 or more players vaccinated.
The teams not doing as well with their player-vaccination rates include the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers, according to that person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the league and NFLPA have not released player-vaccination rates.
Tier 1 and Tier 2 personnel, who have direct contact with players, are required to be vaccinated if they wish to have contact with players.
Players who have been vaccinated are not subject to last year’s strict protocols. They do not have to test daily. They are not subject to contact tracing or quarantining if there is COVID contact. They can use the steam rooms and saunas. They do not have to wear masks in the team facility. They can use the weight room with no limitation of people present. They do not have travel restrictions.
At the conclusion of mandatory minicamp last week, head coach Kliff Kingsbury would not put a percentage on the vaccination rate among players or coaches. He said he does not pay attention to that.
However, he did say players “have been overly educated, if that is possible, on the vaccine.”
“Each player, it’s a personal choice. We understand that,” he said. “Our biggest thing, and (team head athletic trainer) Tom Reed has done a tremendous job, is just making sure coaches and players are educated and can make smart decisions.”
The league has said that if team vaccination rates are at 85%, all restrictions will be lifted.
It would appear the Cardinals are far from that. However, once training camp begins and the non-vaccinated players begin to see what the vaccinated players are able to do and not have to do, things could change.
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