Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Over 85 percent of Steelers players fully vaccinated against COVID-19

Last week, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said his team was "tops in the league" for players vaccinated against COVID-19 heading into training camp that opens in late July. 

It appears Tomlin may have been accurate. 

According to Ed Bouchette of The Athletic, over 85% of Pittsburgh players are considered fully vaccinated. Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk added that the Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints have also reached the 85% vaccination threshold among players that allows for the loosening of certain health and safety protocols related to the coronavirus.

The NFL and NFL Players Association have not yet disclosed updated policies for clubs that reach the threshold. 

Teams were informed Wednesday that players have until July 2 at 4 p.m. ET to officially declare they're opting out for the upcoming season because of COVID-19, but voluntary opt-outs will not get any stipend this time around. Coaches such as Mike Zimmer of the Minnesota Vikings have publicly stressed the importance of players being vaccinated so everyone can work together under similar guidelines, but the NFL and NFLPA have repeatedly reminded everyone no player can be cut only because he chooses to not get jabbed. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
USA Hockey names HC for 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and 2026 Olympics
Key Knicks forward ruled out for Game 7 vs. Pacers
Pacers' Pascal Siakam leads team to Game 6 win vs. Knicks
Watch: Matt Duchene's 2OT winner sends Stars to conference final
Scottie Scheffler shoots improbable 66 after warming up for PGA Championship in a jail cell
Report: Tua Tagovailoa away from Dolphins amid contract chatter
Nuggets star has worrying comment about latest injury
Paul Skenes makes incredible Wrigley Field history in second-career MLB start
Giants rookie CF to undergo season-ending labrum surgery
Yankees' Juan Soto reacts to Hal Steinbrenner contract talk
Late goal sends Panthers to Eastern Conference Finals
Ex-teammate of Shohei Ohtani placed bets with same illegal bookmaker as interpreter 
Former Rams first-round pick retires from NFL after 11 seasons
Insider provides major injury update on Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis
Watch: Bruins strike first in Game 6 with incredible backhand goal
Dodgers make series of moves involving notable players
Hurricanes not expected to re-sign defenseman, center
Maple Leafs tab former Stanley Cup winner as new head coach
NFL insider expands on competition between Steelers QBs Russell Wilson, Justin Fields
NFL sets outrageous prices for Eagles-Packers Brazil game