With NFL teams reporting for training camp in less than two weeks and Covid-19 variant concerns increasing, a looming question facing many clubs is the vaccination of its players. While the league has not made getting vaccinated a requirement, it has announced tough restrictions for those who have chosen not to.
Before OTA’s concluded in June, Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule talked about the importance of getting as many players as possible vaccinated – adding while he respects every player’s individual right to make their own decision, he had no problem encouraging guys to do so.
Whatever Rhule and company have been doing is working. According to the NFL, 13 teams have crossed the 85 percent threshold for player vaccinations and Carolina is one of them. ESPN reports that the Panthers, Pittsburgh, Miami and Denver have the league’s highest vaccination rates, achieving at least 85%.
Some will view this as a clear competitive advantage, as clubs with lower vaccination rates will have more restrictions. The Panthers players are scheduled to report to training camp July 27th. Practices will begin July 28th.