JACKSONVILLE (Fla.) -- Urban Meyer, Jacksonville Jaguars coach, said that he and Trent Baalke considered a player's vaccine status during final roster cuts.
Meyer stated Tuesday that the decision was made because of the stricter COVID-19 protocols applied to unvaccinated athletes who are found to be at high risk or have been identified as having close contact with a high-risk player. These protocols were not applicable to vaccinated patients.
Tuesday's Rosters were reduced to 53 players
Meyer stated, "Everyone was taken into consideration." Meyer said, "That was part the [considerations like] production, let’s start talking about it, and also whether he was vaccinated. That was a decision maker, can I say? It was definitely in consideration."
It is important to note the differences in protocols between vaccinated or unvaccinated players. A player who is unvaccinated and has a positive test or is considered a high-risk close contact will be unable to play for as long as a vaccinated person.
Players who have been vaccinated are subject to a weekly test. Those who have tested positive must be out for ten days, or they can return earlier if they get two negative PCR results within 24 hours. Although vaccinated players cannot be identified by high-risk close contacts, they can be exposed to someone who has tested positive. They must also wear a mask and test every day for five days.
Players who are not vaccinated must be tested every day. Those who test positive have to miss 10 days. After that, there is a three-day return–to-play protocol. Players who are considered high-risk close contacts must be tested immediately. They must be negative if they are to test positive. However, they can return the following day if they have not missed five days. They must undergo the 10-day quarantine as well as the three-day return to play protocol if they are positive.
Meyer stated that the team attempted to educate the players about the vaccine at the start of training camp and encouraged them all to get vaccinated. However, each player was free to make his own decision. Meyer acknowledged that the protocol for unvaccinated players who test positive or are deemed to be at high risk of close contact could have a significant impact on the team's chances of winning.
He gave the example of Josh Allen, defensive end. Allen, the best pass-rusher on the team, was put on the reserve-COVID roster on Aug. 23. He wasn't released until Tuesday. Allen, who declined to disclose his vaccination status, but has worn a mask for interviews, was unable to attend the Jaguars' last two preseason games.
Meyer stated, "Well Josh Allen has never had it [COVID]". Meyer said that he hasn't played in more than two weeks. He has never had COVID. He has never had COVID, and I'm not sure if that's allowed. That's quite punitive."
