INDIANAPOLIS – Colts CEO Chris Ballard reiterated Wednesday that he firmly believed that everyone should be vaccinated when treating COVID-19.
Ballard, in his annual media session before the start of the regular season, spent a significant amount of time answering questions about some of his players not being vaccinated after quarterback Carson Wentz, center Ryan Kelly and receiver Zach Pascal stayed on the reserve / The COVID-19 list on Monday after coming into close contact with a Colts staff member who tested positive.
Wentz, Kelly, and Pascal can return to the facility on the sixth day after close contact if they have negative evidence and remain asymptomatic. The fact that all three players were included in the list as close contacts is an indication that they are not vaccinated against coronavirus, as according to NFL protocols, vaccinated players would only be put on the list for a positive result. the test.
“There are consequences to not getting vaccinated,” Ballard said. “I think everyone should be vaccinated? Absolutely. I’m for the vaccine. (Coach) Frank (Reich) is for the vaccine. We have a lot of guys on our team who are for the vaccine. Is it 100% perfect? No, but is good.
“It can help you end up in the hospital in a critical situation. And it helps stop some of the spread, and that’s a positive thing. But for the guys who have chosen not to get vaccinated, they still understand that they are still it’s part of that team, it’s their decision, but they’re still part of our team and they have to take care of the team. “
The Colts have had one of the lowest percentages of players vaccinated in the NFL. Ballard declined to say what percentage he currently has after reducing the roster to 53 players on Tuesday. Many players, including Wentz, have declined to say whether they are vaccinated or why they have decided not to be vaccinated.
“Look, I can hit my head against the wall,” Ballard said. “I can get in and lift all kinds of hell and get out. That’s not how we think. I believe in our boys. I believe in what they represent and I will defend them. We will continue to work. It’s not like we’ve finished educating … But they understand that they have to take care of the protocols that they have in hand and that they have to live up to them. And we will do our best. “
The Colts have been badly affected by COVID-19 players since the start of the training camp. On Monday, guard Quenton Nelson was removed from the list after he was in close contact with someone who tested positive. Left-back Eric Fisher, recovering from a torn Achilles, was placed on the COVID-19 list on 26 August. Corner TJ Carrie, offensive player Julien Davenport, defender Al-Quadin Muhammad and corner Xavier Rhodes have also spent time on the roster. The Reich and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus tested positive for COVID-19 at various points on the training ground.
The Colts, like all teams in the league, will have to adjust on the fly if a player is forced to waste time due to the pandemic. No player will be subjected to more scrutiny than Wentz, whom the Colts acquired from Philadelphia during the offseason, due to his state of not vaccinating. He comes out of a season in which he lost his initial job with the Eagles and has only participated in five practices (complete and individual) since the start of training camp due to left foot surgery on the 2nd. ‘August.
“He’s worked his ass, he’s been a good teammate,” Ballard said. “When the foot thing happened. I could see the frustration, but I also saw another look.” I’m playing. We take out (the bone) and go to work. “That’s good.”
One player who will not return soon will be receiver TY Hilton. Recently, the veteran was operated on to fix a disc injury. The Colts plan to place him on the injured reserve list, which means he will miss at least the first three games of the regular season. Hilton re-aggravated the injury in practice on 25 August. Hilton, 31, has been the Colts ’No. 1 receiver during his nine seasons at Indianapolis, which includes five 1,000-yard campaigns.
“He has a lot of relief, he feels better,” Ballard said. “One thing about TY is that he’s a pretty fast healer. I think he’ll come back whenever he’s ready. Always sooner rather than later with him.”