RICHMOND (VA) -- Ron Rivera, Washington Football Team coach, issued a warning to his players after two more players were added to the reserve/COVID-19 roster. This gave his players a scenario where if this happened one day before the season opener. It would have an impact on the first two games.Washington now has six players on its reserve/COVID-19 roster, including All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff who was added to it Saturday alongside reserve tackle David Sharpe. Curtis Samuel, a receiver, is also on the list. Matt Ioannidis is a key reserve defensive tackle.Washington is the next-lowest in vaccination rates, with just 70% of all players receiving at least one shot. Only one team is below 70%. The NFL's overall player percentage is 89.4, with 22 teams above 90% and nine over 95%.Arizona, with nine players, had the highest number of reserve/COVID players as of Saturday morning. Frank Reich, the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, had four players.A player's inclusion on the COVID List does not necessarily mean that they have the virus. It could also be based upon contact tracing. Even that would take five days for a player.Rivera explained to his players that if the practice had taken place on Saturday, then Scherff or Sharpe would have also missed the opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. It takes place on a Thursday.Rivera stated, "Those guys wouldn't be eligible, so to me, it brings reality of what the rules is," and he hoped it helps. These young men must make their own decisions.Rivera stated that it is difficult to evaluate different players or units when players are missing for now. Washington wanted to use Saahdiq Charlie, a second-year guard, but Sharpe and Cornelius Lucas, a fellow tackle, are on the list so the team has mostly kept him out.Rivera stated, "That's part the problem," Rivera said. Rivera stated that this will make it difficult and is something we must be aware of. It will make it difficult for everyone to work together, difficult for us coaches with our evaluations, scouts, as well as difficult for the players because they won't have time off and are not allowed to learn, develop, or grow. This is the downfall, and that's what's the downside.Rivera stated that they have made arrangements for players to receive shots on Sunday. This is their day off. Rivera said that he had spoken to several of his players about their concerns over the vaccine. Rivera stated that he provides information to his players about the development of the vaccine.Rivera stated that some of the men are deeply thinking. It's about these guys being educated, understanding, because it is fair when you sit down with these guys and listen and understand their concerns. Some guys don't know what they are doing, and I have gotten the impression that some men are so determined to win that they won't back down. This is the part that worries me because I care about these guys. It's possible that someone might catch it and take it home to pass it on.Friday's speech was given by Scherff in a mask, 12 feet away from the media.He said, "It's my decision; it's everyone's decision." "Nobody has made any deal about it. We're all here for football, and that's exactly what we do."Rivera stated Tuesday that he was frustrated by the slow pace at which vaccinations were being administered. Rivera also stated that he was immunodeficient due to cancer last fall.Rivera stated, "I think that just making the statement about my immunity deficiency hopefully is part their conversation, part their thought process.""It's personal, but we can sway the people hopefully."Last regular season, Washington did not have any of its 53-man roster players go on the COVID List. Ioannidis, running back Javon Leake and Ioannidis were the only two players to be added to the COVID list. Leake was on practice squad and Ioannidis was in injured reserve.
