After multiple teams parted ways with their coaches because of COVID-19 vaccine-related issues, per multiple reports, Tennessee Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky says that the team isn’t having any issues with its coaching staff.
“No vaccine issues among Titans’ coaching staff,” Kuharsky tweeted on Friday.
Minnesota Vikings offensive line coach, Rick Dennison, refused to get the vaccine, leading to his leaving the team. New England Patriots co-offensive line coach, Cole Popovich, was another vaccine-related departure.
Based on new NFL rules, all Tier 1 staff, which includes coaches, front-office executives, equipment managers and scouts, are required to get vaccinated unless they can provide valid religious or medical reasons.
No vaccine issues among #Titans’ coaching staff.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) July 23, 2021
Unvaccinated Tier 1 staff members are not allowed to be on the field, in meeting rooms, or have any kind of direct interaction with players.
Players, on the other hand, are not required to get the vaccine, but the possible consequences of not doing so could force their hand.
In a memo from the NFL released earlier this week, it was revealed that there will be harsh penalties for teams who experience an outbreak among unvaccinated players that impacts a scheduled game.
Among the penalties include the forfeiture of the game if it can’t be rescheduled, and a lost paycheck for players on both teams if the game is ultimately canceled.
The league also made it quite clear that there will be no adding an extra week to the end of the regular season for make-up contests, an idea that was floated around last year.
Here’s more from today’s memo, which also says the team responsible for a canceled game because of an outbreak among unvaccinated players/staff will be responsible for financial losses and subject to potential discipline from the commissioner. Wow. pic.twitter.com/Q86a2WcG1K
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 22, 2021
The Titans had one of the worst outbreaks of COVID-19 in 2020, as over 20 players and staff members came down with the virus, leading to the league having to reschedule Tennessee’s Week 4 and Week 5 games.
Any team that experiences a similar outbreak in 2021 might not be so lucky, though.
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