Flacco said he is not vaccinated against COVID-19. Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jets QB Joe Flacco confirms he's not vaccinated against COVID-19

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 11/17/21

The New York Jets surprised many outside observers when head coach Robert Saleh confirmed veteran quarterback and Super Bowl XLVII Most Valuable Player Joe Flacco will start for this Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins.

Little could anybody have guessed the Jets' quarterback room would make more news later in the day.

As noted by the New York Daily News, Flacco sported a mask while speaking with reporters Wednesday and later said he is not vaccinated against COVID-19:

Joe Flacco confirmed he’s not vaccinated. Hence, the mask. Says he has his reasons, but doesn’t want to create a “distraction” by going into it. #Jets pic.twitter.com/x3Arg4cR8z
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) November 17, 2021

An agreement between the NFL and NFL Players Association allows unvaccinated players to participate in the season, but such personnel must follow strict guidelines similar to those used for the 2020 campaign before safe vaccines were available to all league employees. Recently, Green Bay Packers star signal-caller and reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers missed one game and 10 days of work after he tested positive for COVID-19 as an unvaccinated player.

Unvaccinated players can also land on the reserve/COVID-19 list for up to five days as high-risk close contacts of infected individuals even if they don't test positive for the virus.

With rookie Zach Wilson still recovering from a PCL sprain, fan-favorite Mike White would be the next man up on the depth chart if Flacco is sidelined for any reason before or on Sunday. White was intercepted four times in last Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills.

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