Falcons cut two unvaccinated players to get to 100% rate?

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Falcons cut two unvaccinated players to get to 100% COVID-19 vaccination rate

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/19/21

The Atlanta Falcons made headlines on Monday by announcing they had become the first NFL team to have all players vaccinated against COVID-19.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio offered an update on that story Thursday.

According to Florio, the Falcons cut two unvaccinated players as part of their latest roster trimming which resulted in the club reaching the 100% vaccination rate. Both the NFL and NFL Players Association have repeatedly said since the spring that players cannot be forced to get vaccinated against the coronavirus to keep their roster spots, but it has widely been believed for months that so-called "fringe" or "bubble" players could be cut during training camp and/or the preseason if they refused to get one of the available and safe vaccines.

As teams look to sign free agents prior to camp, an important note: Clubs are permitted to ask street free agents for proof of vaccination for purposes of determining entry testing cadence, teams have been informed. Should a player refuse, he’s to be treated as unvaccinated.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 24, 2021

This is a no brainer. Supply outweighs demand. Unvaccinated street free agents have no chance. https://t.co/M45N8hduTf
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 24, 2021

As Florio notes, players deemed or confirmed to be unvaccinated must wait five days before they can try out or sign with a different club, while fully vaccinated individuals can do either without observing the five-day period. A wide majority of star players who are allegedly "opposed to the vaccine" know their jobs are safe through the upcoming campaign, but some fighting for roster places this summer who haven't yet received the shots may be having second thoughts with two preseason games left on team calendars.

More must-reads: