65% of NFL players have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose
The NFL and NFL Players Association have made it clear teams cannot cut players only because they choose to remain unvaccinated against COVID-19, but multiple clubs have had medical experts speak with players to encourage them to receive shots as soon as possible.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said Friday that 65% of NFL players have received at least one vaccine dose.
Previous reports stated the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints have reached the 85% vaccination threshold among players that allows for the relaxing of certain health and safety protocols. However, the policies for such teams are unclear roughly one month before training camp sessions begin.
Throughout June, multiple NFL head coaches stressed the importance of players being fully vaccinated by late July so that everyone could practice, train and otherwise work under similar guidelines. As Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper notes, unvaccinated players will have to follow protocols similar to those embraced for the 2020 season, such as wearing approved face coverings and not being permitted to leave team hotels while traveling for road games.
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