As of Thursday night, the Arizona Cardinals were in rare company and it isn’t necessarily good company. According to a report by the Associated Press, they were one of four teams with the lowest vaccination rates among players against COVID-19, all with less the half the roster fully vaccinated.
However, it appears that they have crossed the 50% threshold recently.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that only two teams were below the 50% mark. The Associated Press updated their story Friday nothing that the Washington Football Team and Indianapolis Colts have the two lowest vaccination rates in the NFL.
More than 73% of players leaguewide have at least one shot.
Players who are fully vaccinated are not required to follow most of the protocols everyone had to last season. Those who are not fully vaccinated must undergo daily testing for the virus, they must wear masks at all times at the team facility, they must practice physical distancing and cannot eat with their teammates. They cannot leave the team hotel or interact with anyone outside the team when traveling. They cannot participate in media or marketing opportunities on road trips. They must also quarantine when they have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus.
Vaccinated players have none of those restrictions.
When team rosters reach 85% vaccinated, there are fewer restrictions for the team.
Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury said after minicamp that players have been “overly educated” about the vaccine.
Last season, receiver KeeSean Johnson, cornerback Byron Murphy, receiver Larry Fitzgerald, receiver Christian Kirk, safety Deionte Thompson, safety Chris Banjo, receiver Trent Sherfield and linebacker Devon Kennard all spent time on the COVID list and safety Budda Baker contracted the virus this offseason.
The Cardinals open training camp July 27.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
and