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The Baltimore Ravens have achieved 90% vaccination status going into training camp. This news breaks as the CDC is recommending mask usage indoors again amidst an outbreak due to the delta-variation of COVID-19.
Ravens are in the 90-percent range in terms of COVID vaccination rate as they enter training camp.
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) July 27, 2021
Earlier this week, the NFL released a memo that informed clubs of potential fines, forfeitures and other implications due to COVID outbreaks throughout the 2021 season.
The NFL just informed clubs that if a game cannot be rescheduled during the 18-week season in 2021 due to a COVID outbreak among unvaccinated players, the team with the outbreak will FORFEIT and be credited with a loss for playoff seeding, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 22, 2021
Massive implications.
There are also a litany of clubhouse restrictions that have been put in place, including $14,650 fines for each violation of COVID-19 protocols. With two teams reportedly under 50% vaccination, there are both competitive and safety concerns in certain clubhouses. Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera has recently expressed mounting frustration with his club.
Ron Rivera is "perplexed, truly frustrated, beyond frustrated" that so many of his players remain unvaccinated. He pointed out that his cancer treatment last year has left him immune deficient, requiring him to put masks on in almost all gatherings with players.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 27, 2021
Baltimore dealt with a COVID-19 outbreak last season which altered their schedule, resulting in a rare Wednesday afternoon game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when over 20 players were placed on the COVID-19 reserve list. The NFL has recently stated that they will not be adding a 19th week in the event of forfeitures. Head coach John Harbaugh has advocated for players to take the proper measures and precautions to avoid the virus, even handing out shirts that read, “Stay Positive, Test Negative, PLAY LIKE A RAVEN.”
While running back Gus Edwards is being placed on a 10-day quarantine after testing positive for the virus, at least 81 other Ravens are vaccinated with the Ravens having such a high vaccination rate and they should be able to avoid fines or forfeitures throughout the offseason and into the regular season.