From a cynical, non-health-based perspective, Jackson and Cousins have already put their teams and teammates at a significant competitive disadvantage by missing chunks of the pre-season, and the possibility that their status could affect games during the season will linger for all 18 weeks. Be the first one to comment on this story. So for guys that are reportedly unvaccinated on the Vikings roster like Thielen, Cook, and Smith, none of them have to even test positive for COVID-19 to possibly miss a game this season. If an unvaccinated player is considered a high-risk close contact, like Cousins was earlier this summer, then they must quarantine for at least five days, while a vaccinated player is not required to miss any time if they have close contact with someone who tests positive for the virus. With being on the restricted list, players forfeit their salary and their service time. In team cafeterias, unvaccinated players may not sit less than six feet apart and, depending on a teams logistics, might be required to eat at predetermined times. This list is not comprehensive and we can only take this information at face value. Since the vaccines are given in two shots and there's a three to six-week gap between them, it would take until the start of the regular season for all players to be vaccinated. Take for example, if a player this season tests positive for COVID-19 on a Thursday, but they are asymptomatic. Matthew Judon and Leonard Fournette were other players who spoke out on Twitter regarding the new rules: Matthew Judon (@man_dammn) July 22, 2021, Add #Bucs RB Leonard Fournette to the list of players against getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Here are three players who could put their teams' futures in danger as a result of their refusal to be vaccinated. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins spent five days out of practice as a close contact, which let the world know hes not vaccinated. More testing. That being said, these rules have been agreed upon and in place and well communicated for some time.. In addition to being prohibited from having guests vaccinated players may be joined by other vaccinated individuals unvaccinated players are mostly confined to the hotel during road trips. As we've already seen with a number of prominent NFL players including Carson Wentz and Cam Newton, not being vaccinated against COVID-19 is going to have substantial real-life implications in the NFL this season. Currently, the country of Canada has barred any non-vaccinated people from entering the country. Your login session has expired. While there will be a big jump around the start of September, there will still be some holdouts. It turns out, his characterization of life for unvaccinated players was no exaggeration. However, as he's playing on a one-year deal, the Buccaneers may be tempted to find a way to cut or trade him in order to minimize the risks of a COVID-19 outbreak. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. These stipulations include daily testing and masks inside facilities for those without the vaccine. I dont know how accessing the list is of any real importance. (1:04). Unfortunately for the vaccine holdouts, most medical experts believe that Covid-19 is going to be around for a very long time. There are 18 pitchers and eight position players. Here is a comprehensive list of the unvaccinated MLB players, as of July 12, 2022. When Denzel Perryman reported for training camp in late July, he unabashedly stated his intent to forgo COVID-19 vaccination, saying he was fully prepared to deal with the weighty restrictions placed on unvaccinated NFL players. If u want the vax get it and you will be safe and sound, right? Mixon tweeted in mid-June that the NFLPA is "not for the players" due to its role in negotiating restrictions for unvaccinated players. Here is a breakdown of the state of the NFL when it comes to vaccinations. Already, some big-name players have found their way to the COVID-19/RESERVE list. But should Cousins' contract COVID-19, it could spell trouble for his status within the team. These issues are present even during practice. In June, during a podcast interview with Kyle Brandt, Allen said that he was undecided about getting the vaccine and hadn't "been paying attention to it as much as maybe I should have." Now, every club is above 80 percent vaccinated. But unvaccinated players who test positive still are . Last season, Leonard Fournette earned 367 yards and six touchdowns. And that means Perryman, too. Patrick Peterson gives his thoughts. Put them on a list with injured players that are out. Ashish Priyadarshi is The SportsRush's content manager and editor. Leonard Fournette is also unvaccinated. An example of the far-reaching potential implications of this came when the Vikings were reduced to one active quarterback after losing three others, including starter Kirk Cousins, to COVID-19 reserve one week into training camp. Dr Allen Sills, the chief medical officer for the NFL, has often cut a frustrated figure throughout the leagues vaccination efforts. Except for tight end Irv Smith Jr. and rookie left tackle Christian Darrisaw, the majority of the Vikings projected 2021 starters are expected to be on the field for the matchup against the Bengals. The NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed to COVID-19 protocols for the 2021 regular season, which include weekly testing for fully vaccinated players and staff members, NFL. If a team is 100% vaxxed, its not guaranteed that they will never get sick. Pete Gilbert of WBALTV11 reported that Jackson is not vaccinated, which would mean he will miss 10 days of training camp. The way the rules are currently set up, teams with a higher vaccination rate will have more of an advantage. The NFL is betting on market forces in a bid to head off any Broncos-style calamities that popped up during the last pandemic-hit season. The news broke this morning that Aaron Rodgers has contracted COVID-19 and will not be available to play Sunday when the Packers take on the Chiefs. Even before the workday begins, the inconvenience for unvaccinated players already is undeniable. But if the rules dont do the trick, the fines just might. Since then, Ashish has focused on honing his knowledge for both leagues in, even writing crossover pieces. This will entice them to go get vaccinated. If a teams quarterback sustains an injury and immediate short-term help is needed at the position, its hard to envision that team waiting nearly a week to bring in an aging veteran who might be unavailable for its next game. Some NFL players, though, are standing their ground. From the memo that just went to clubs: pic.twitter.com/8yMPW0JBWZ. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. 6 min read For months, the NFL's vaccine stragglers have clung to. The question is, is he worth causing a potential loss(es) due to a COVID outbreak? Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onMinnesota Vikings and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. As one player explained in a particularly relatable example, unvaccinated players had to report for testing at 7:30 a.m. on a day his team played a 1 p.m. preseason contest. That also applies to MLB players and personnel that are not vaccinated. I am both but certainly see the need to address this issue. As of July 12, 2022, there have been 26 MLB players that have been placed on the restricted list when their respective team was in Toronto since they were unvaccinated. The stipulations place a premium on wearing appropriate PPE and offer restrictions on the number of people and types of venues players may gather in for social or team-related purposes. This creates a delicate dance for unvaccinated players, who must constantly avoid being in close proximity to others for too long. You cant slip up. Wentz is the 15th player currently on the list for the Colts. The Bills wide receiver revealed last month that he was cited for a second violation of protocols set forth for unvaccinated players. Smith runs second-fastest 40 by DL since 03, Saleh compares Carr to Stafford pre-Rams trade, Allen to be ready to roll for offseason program, How to maximize leverage of No. Be the first one to comment on this story. That means while many teams enjoyed a long Labor Day weekend, allowing vaccinated players to embark on a brief getaway before they hunker down for the upcoming season, unvaccinated players had no such benefit. The league gave concessions to teams and the players. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on July 5, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 4 min read. Recently, the Vikings lost all three members of their quarterback room for several days of training camp after the rookie Kellen Mond tested positive for Covid. That said, if the rigorous rules motivate players to opt for vaccination, the NFL isnt about to complain. he tenor and tone of the NFLs approach to the pandemic has shifted as the league moves into its second season in a Covid world. Case in point: On many teams, unvaccinated players must report for work earlier than vaccinated ones in order to get tested. The game will be forfeited immediately. All of a sudden PFT is a breeding ground for ACLU and privacy advocates, not. Who cares? In the 60s, Paul Horning and Alex Karras were suspended for a $10 bet between them on the Lions/GB game. They love you one minute then hate you the next! Colts All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard, who is unvaccinated, acknowledges that the protocols are burdensome. Ditto for Patriots quarterback Cam Newton, who missed five days after a COVID misunderstanding involving an out-of-town trip and a failure to be tested every single day at the team facility. Added that player to their fantasy lineup, LOL. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. The NFL is eliminating the distinction between vaccinated and unvaccinated players for the remainder of the postseason, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports. Register now! The Buffalo Bills have a tough decision to make. However, the Star Tribune is also reporting that several Minnesota players are currently in the process of getting vaccinated. So their vaccination rate should increase in the near future. Fri Feb 24, 2023 - 2:57 pm EST. Later, having dealt with inconvenient daily COVID-19 testing, eating meals in isolation, constant masking and painstaking social-distancing requirements for seven weeks, Perryman has made an abrupt about-face. Three teams, the Buccaneers, Falcons and Raiders, are now 100 percent vaccinated. Here are three players who could put their teams' futures in danger as a result of their refusal to be vaccinated. The game is hopelessly corrupt. Its also a gamble not to test the vaxxed. Just test in a way that yields the results before(I guess awhile before)KO. So much so, that Hopkins has also threatened to retire over the issue. Both the teams starting quarterback, Cousins, and the backup Nate Stanley were deemed to be in close contact with Mond and were forced to sit out under the leagues protocol. Im just here to answer the questions about football and worry about that at a different time.. 1 draft pick, NFL, NFLPA should disclose the full list of unvaccinated players, Report: Derek Carr wants $35 million per year, The Raiders are the betting favorites to land Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy: Kellen Moore wants to light the scoreboard up, I want to run the damn ball, ESPN reiterates report that Lamar Jackson wants a fully-guaranteed deal, Arrest warrant issued for Jalen Carter for reckless driving, racing, Aaron Rodgers says hell make a decision soon enough, Competition Committee begins to explore the quarterback push play, Players say Chiefs discourage them from reporting injuries, have NFLs worst training staff, Report: Jalen Carter was present at teammates fatal crash, misled police about it, millions made by the sport through legalized betting. Two losses could be the difference between a division title and people fighting for their jobs. Please logout and login again. The Buffalo Bills receiver has stood firm in his option to not get vaccinated, often speaking on the NFL's COVID restrictions as being ridiculous. We could just put this thing to bed if wed all do this [get the vaccine]., It was really sad: inside the disastrous downfall of the Alliance of American Football, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. McDermott and Beane have both publicly expressed frustration with players resistance to getting vaccinated. It applies to healthcare institutions, providers, insurance companies and (in some cases) the government.