Photo: Getty Images
After the NFL COVID scare, Jerry Jones wants the Cowboys to hit 85% vaccination threshold.
The Cowboys expect roughly 84 of the 89 players on their current roster will soon be vaccinated against COVID 19. Although the league can't force players to get vaccinated, it can create an environment to encourage it happening.
"It was a many faceted effort. From the standpoint of the players, from what I call 'in the pipeline' that is committed at some various stage whether they need two vaccine shots and they've got one, or they're waiting a period of time to have the vaccine and go through the protocol. We have a handful in my mind that have to commit to this. A handful is five. That's iffy that in my mind. Several of that hand of five are on the way to potentially having their vaccine." Jones said in a news conference.
According to USA Today seven NFL teams had surpassed the 85% vaccination threshold that other sports leagues have identified for reducing the team restrictions. Reports say Dallas was not one of those seven teams.
The NFL has not solidified a team vaccination rate protocol. Instead they are coordinating restrictions on an individual basis. Even after a team has more than 85% of players vaccinated, any unvaccinated player will be subject to masking, testing, and distancing protocols.