JACKSONVILLE, Florida – Jaguars coach Urban Meyer said he and general manager Trent Baalke took into account a player’s vaccination status during the final cuts to the roster.
Meyer said Tuesday that it was considered because of the stricter COVID-19 protocols imposed on unvaccinated players who test positive or identify as high-risk close contacts compared to protocols for vaccinated players.
On Tuesday, rankings were reduced to 53 players.
“Everyone was considered,” Meyer said. “This was part of the [considerations such as] production, let’s start talking about it, and is it also vaccinated or not? Can I say he was a decision maker? It was definitely taken into account. “
The difference in the protocols of vaccinated and unvaccinated players is significant. A player without a vaccine who tests positive or is classified as a high-risk close contact would lose much more time than a vaccinated player.
Vaccinated players are tested weekly and those who test positive must leave ten days off or may return earlier when they receive two negative PCR tests separated by 24 hours. Vaccinated players cannot be identified as close high-risk contacts, but if they are exposed to someone who tests positive, they must wear a mask inside the facility and have daily tests for five days afterwards. of the day of exhibition.
Unvaccinated players are tested daily and those who test positive must miss 10 days, and there is a three-day return protocol to the game. Unvaccinated players designated as close high-risk contacts should be tested immediately. If they give a negative, they will have to lose five days and can return on the 6th. If they give a positive, they must pass the protocol of return to reproduction of three days of quarantine and three days.
Meyer said that at the beginning of the training camp, the team tried to educate the players about the vaccine and encouraged them to get vaccinated, but that each player was allowed to decide for himself. But Meyer also admitted the protocols for a player without a vaccine to test positive or believe that close high-risk contact can significantly affect the team’s chances of winning.
He cited the situation of Josh Allen’s defensive end as an example.
Allen, the team’s best passenger, was placed on the reserve COVID list on Aug. 23 and was not eliminated until Tuesday. Allen, who has refused to reveal his vaccination status but has worn a mask in interviews, missed the Jaguars ’last two preseason games.
“Well Josh Allen has never had it [COVID]”Meyer said.” He hasn’t played in two weeks. Therefore, he has never had COVID. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say that, but I’ve never had COVID. So that’s pretty punitive. “