UPDATED: 11 a.m., Thursday, July 28
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — While there have been notable struggles — and subsequent absences — in getting players at Citizens Bank Park vaccinated against COVID-19, don't expect the same issue across the street at Lincoln Financial Field.
On Wednesday, Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said more than 90% of the team's players have begun the vaccination process.
That may mean some players still need to get the second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, but by all accounts, the Eagles are on track to not worry much about the virus in their first season under head coach Nick Sirianni.
"All we're trying to do is educate them and try to give them the information. We understand it's a very personal decision. They're doing a great job with it, as is our medical team," Roseman said.
The players, although encouraged, are not mandated to get the vaccine. Roseman said 100% of the Eagles staff is vaccinated because based on leagues rules they're not allowed to be at the facility unless they are.
That's not to say that vaccinated players can't ultimately test positive, though the CDC says "there is some evidence that vaccination may make illness less severe for those who are vaccinated and still get sick."
An NBC News survey earlier this month and found only a small number of fully vaccinated individuals still ended up in the hospital or died from the virus. Those who contracted it were more likely to be senior citizens or have pre-existing health conditions.
There's also a convenience factor: If you're fully vaccinated, you only have to be tested for COVID-19 once every two weeks, and the team will decide when that is. (Presumably, most teams will do it in the day or two after a game is played.) However, if you're unvaccinated, daily testing will continue, including on game days.
There will also be stricter rules placed for unvaccinated players in terms of how long they will be out if they test positive for COVID-19, where face masks are required, and what social activities they can take part in when their team is on the road.
The league also has said that teams with outbreaks among unvaccinated players may be forced to forfeit in 2021, leaving their team with a loss, and all players set to take part in the canceled game without a check for that weekend.
When asked whether he's been vaccinated, expected starting quarterback Jalen Hurts said, "I have the vaccine."
Defensive end Brandon Graham acknowledged it's a player's personal choice, "but I think that hopefully we get to [100%], because it is what it is. We in this time in our lives where we gotta make sure we safe and, for me, I did it for my kids, cause I ain't wanna bring nothing in the house. This stuff ain't nothing to play with, you know."
Graham said that he lost loved ones last year to COVID-19.
Another long-time Eagle and leader, center Jason Kelce, said, "For me personally, I try to stay out of, you know, 'We wanna be at X percent,' or whatever. I thought the league did a good job of trying to educate guys and provide people with information to make an incredibly personal decision. We're all just out here trying to do what we think is right for ourselves and community, and there's gonna be people with differing view points with that."
Kelce explained the NovaCare Complex is pretty safe, and the Eagles will stick to protocols from the league, the state and the city. "Hopefully we have [the media] in front of us here ... and fans over at the stadium would be awesome, and you know hopefully this year's a lot different."
Meanwhile, at Indianapolis Colts camp, a lot was made of former Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz politely declining to say whether he was vaccinated, calling it a "personal decision." However, Wentz did express the importance of following COVID protocols.
How much Wentz plays this season will determine whether the Eagles receive a future first round pick in the trade for him.
