Over 80% of Detroit Lions players are vaccinated, Dan Campbell says

According to head coach Dan Campbell, 80 percent of Detroit Lions players entered training having obtained at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot.

“I know we’re over 80 percent and I would say we are getting more every day,” Campbell said prior to Wednesday’s opening training camp practice. “Every day we had our guys come in from the first group into the vets who came in yesterday, every day we get a few more. It’s trending the right way. It’s been really good.”

This year, the NFL set separate protocols for vaccinated and unvaccinated staff members to encourage players to get the shot. Players who are unvaccinated will have tighter travel restrictions, a lengthier process to get off the COVID-19 reserve list if they test positive, and they will have to wear masks around the facility. Additionally, the league warned teams that if a COVID-19 breakout happens due to an unvaccinated player and it threatens a team’s ability to sport a full squad for a game, they could be forced into a forfeit.

During minicamp back in June, Campbell noted that the entire coaching staff had already received their vaccination.

“Everybody is vaccinated,” Campbell said. “The ones that have masks, they have gotten fully vaccinated, but it’s a 14-day period until they can not wear the masks.”

The Lions currently do have two players on the reserve/COVID-19 list: linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin and offensive lineman Evan Heim. It’s unclear if they tested positive or had a close contact with someone who has the COVID virus. It’s also not know if they have received vaccinations.