Thursday, Jul 15, 2021. 11:21 PM
Four NFL teams still boast less than 50% vaccination rates as training camps are scheduled to begin in less than two weeks, the Associated Press has learned.
Team Washington, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers have the four lowest vaccination rates in the league as of Thursday, according to a person familiar with the matter, but who cannot be identified because the league has not released the numbers.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos have the highest vaccination rates and are part of a squad of eight teams with vaccination exceeds 85%.
About 70% of all players have been vaccinated. Teams that find themselves at the back of the vaccination pack could be at a disadvantage.
According to the same source previously cited, the NFL has no plans to cancel games this season.
In a note sent to teams last week, and a copy of which the Associated Press obtained on Thursday, the NFL and the players’ association updated the health protocol to allow teams traveling to their training site to transport the maximum number of level 1 and level 2 staff allowed.
This number could represent a total of 100 or 140 people, depending on the team’s vaccination rate. A team can only travel with 85 people in total, but an additional number of level 1 and level 2 people for daily training by meeting certain criteria.
In addition, as of the opening of the training camps, teams will be required to visually identify individuals who have been adequately vaccinated.
The league suggests using colored bracelets or accreditations, but teams are free to adopt their own system.
Last month, the NFL and the Players’ Association adopted a protocol that relaxes guidelines for properly vaccinated players and encourages others to get vaccinated.
Unvaccinated players must undergo daily drug tests, wear a mask and respect physical distancing. They will not be able to share meals with their teammates or participate in any media or advertising event while traveling. They will not have access to certain places such as saunas and will have to remain in isolation in their hotel room when traveling with the team. They will not be able to have contact with people who are not part of the team when they are traveling.
None of these restrictions apply to properly vaccinated players.
