Here are updates from around the NFL:SEPTEMBER 1Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer said he and general manager Trent Baalke took a player's vaccination status into consideration when making final roster cuts. "Everyone was considered," Meyer said, according to ESPN's Michael DiRocco. "That was part of the [considerations such as] production, let's start talking about this, and also is he vaccinated or not? Can I say that that was a decision-maker? It was certainly in consideration." NFL Players Association assistant executive director for external affairs George Atallah told ESPN that Meyer's comments "have led us to open an investigation." It's unclear what the consequences might be. Read more here.On Wednesday, the Jaguars released a statement that insisted no player was released based on vaccination status alone. However, the team admitted that “availability is one of the many factors taken into account when making roster decisions.” Read more here.New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick met with the media Wednesday for the first time since releasing Cam Newton and naming rookie quarterback Mac Jones QB1. There was speculation that Newton's vaccination status played a role in his release. Belichick denied the rumors, adding that plenty of vaccinated players and staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 this summer. Read more here.ESPN's Adam Teicher reported that Tyrann Mathieu has been placed on the league's reserve/COVID-19 list after he tested positive for the virus. Teicher, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star and others report Mathieu is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, which means he could return to team activities without completing an isolation period of at least 10 days if he produces two negative virus tests taken 24 hours apart. Read more here.Colts general manager Chris Ballard thinks everyone out to get vaccinated against COVID-19. He said, "There’s consequences to not being vaccinated. Do I think everybody should be vaccinated? Absolutely," via ESPN's Mike Wells. Read more here.AUGUST 31Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel appears to be in good spirits and ready to get back to work after being away from the team due to COVID-19. Vrabel missed the Titans' preseason finale against the Chicago Bears after he tested positive for COVID-19 one week prior. Wide receivers coach Rob Moore, offensive line assistant Jason Houghtaling and rookie wide receiver Racey McMath also missed Sunday's game because of the league's health and safety protocols. Read more here.AUGUST 30The Indianapolis Colts placed quarterback Carson Wentz on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Monday. Center Ryan Kelly and wide receiver Zach Pascal were also placed on the list. Read more here.AUGUST 28Two days after being fined by the NFL for violating COVID-19 protocols, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie received his first COVID-19 vaccine shot. McKenzie shared a photo of his vaccine card to his Instagram story on Saturday, writing, "For the greater good." He was fined $14,650 on Thursday for repeatedly not wearing a mask at the Bills facility. Read more here.Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh did not travel with the team to Houston for a preseason matchup against the Texans and has reportedly been added to the reserve/COVID-19 list, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. Suh is the fourth Bucs player this week to be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, joining kicker Ryan Succop and offensive linemen Nick Leverett and Earl Watford. Read more here.AUGUST 26Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley, a vocal opponent of the COVID-19 vaccine, has been in the NFL’s health and safety protocols after a staff member tested positive and he was deemed a close contact. Beasley responded to his situation on Thursday, and was critical of the stipulations that are keeping him sidelined. Responding to fellow wideout Isaiah McKenzie, who was cited by the league for not wearing a mask around the Bills’ facility, Beasley questioned why masks were necessary in the first place based on his specific incident. Read more here.The Tennessee Titans received some bad news on Thursday, as starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill went on the COVID-19 list and will miss five to 10 days. NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe provided further details on Tannehill’s status, indicating that Tennessee is working to contain a potential outbreak situation, as multiple personnel, including head coach Mike Vrabel, have tested positive for COVID-19. Read more here.Additionally, the Titans have placed Harold Landry, tight end Geoff Swaim, linebacker Justin March-Lillard, running back Jeremy McNichols, linebacker Nick Dzubnar and defensive tackle Anthony Rush on their reserve/COVID list this week. Special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman is also away from the team due to COVID. Not everyone in this group has tested positive. Read more here. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Thursday that 25 players had been fined for violations of mask-wearing or refusal to wear a tracking device. Approximately 120 players have received warnings as well. Read more here.Green Bay Packers starting quarterback and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers told reporters Thursday he is vaccinated against the coronavirus. "It's a personal decision. It's an interesting issue," Rodgers explained while adding he won't criticize teammates who still haven't gotten one of the available vaccines. Read more here.On a conference call Thursday, the NFL’s general counsel said that they have proposed weekly testing of vaccinated players to the players’ union. Read more here.Per Charean Williams of PFT, NFL deputy general counsel Larry Ferazani said the league once proposed mandatory vaccines. Read more here.AUGUST 25Speaking one day after Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Ryan Succop tested positive for the coronavirus following a dinner with members of the Tennessee Titans, Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians made it clear "there’s league rules and then there’s my rules" regarding what his players will be allowed to do during road trips starting next month. "We ain’t going anywhere," Arians explained, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. "For us, life is not normal. We’re going to be under pretty much the same protocols as last year. Tennessee coming in and going out to dinner, they found out the hard way." Read more here.AUGUST 24Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley, who has used his celebrity to preach against COVID-19 vaccine mandates, now has to miss five days of practice after coming into contact with a member of the training staff who tested positive for the virus. Fellow wide receiver Gabriel Davis has to go through the five-day re-entry process as well. Read more here.Per Mark Norris of Fox 4 News, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones left little doubt during his weekly radio appearance on Dallas' 105.3 The Fan that he feels strongly about employees and other individuals getting vaccinated against the coronavirus, saying that it's part of the "common good." Read more here.Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians confirmed kicker Ryan Succop tested positive for the coronavirus. Succop is considered fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and, thus, should be cleared for the regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 9. Read more here.AUGUST 23Cam Newton has been ruled ineligible to practice for five days due to COVID-19 protocols. The Patriots announced the news in a statement on Monday and explained that Newton traveled out of the New England area on Saturday for a team-approved medical treatment. As the Patriots described it, there was a “misunderstanding” about COVID-19 tests that are conducted away from team facilities. Read more here.The Jaguars announced outside linebacker Josh Allen has been placed on the COVID-19 list. It's unclear if he tested positive for the virus or was put on the list based on contact tracing. Read more here.The Vikings had an epidemiologist speak with players Monday about the safety of the vaccines to encourage unvaccinated individuals to get their shots ahead of the regular-season opener at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 12. "I just care about these players and I care about their families," Mike Zimmer told reporters. "That’s my main reason. If they miss a game because they get COVID, so be it. But I don’t want them to get sick and I don’t want their families to get sick and their kids to get sick or my grandkids to get sick." Zimmer admitted, however, that he's not sure Dr. Michael Osterholm was able to change the minds of those who haven't yet been vaccinated. It's believed quarterback Kirk Cousins is among Minnesota players who haven't gotten a shot. Read more here.According to Todd Archer of ESPN, the Cowboys switched to a virtual format for Sunday and Monday and added wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and safeties Malik Hooker and Israel Mukuamu to the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday. Read more here.AUGUST 22Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has tested positive for COVID-19, he announced Sunday in a videoconference, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Read more here.AUGUST 20Hall of Fame Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders announced on Friday that he’s “staying in” after testing positive for COVID-19. Thankfully, Sanders’ post on Twitter specified that he was symptom-free, and he added that he’s been fully vaccinated, which should help him make a complete recovery. Read more here.AUGUST 19The Atlanta Falcons made headlines on Monday by announcing they had become the first NFL team to have all players vaccinated against COVID-19. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio offered an update on that story Thursday. According to Florio, the Falcons cut two unvaccinated players as part of their latest roster trimming which resulted in the club reaching the 100% vaccination rate. Both the NFL and NFL Players Association have repeatedly said since the spring that players cannot be forced to get vaccinated against the coronavirus to keep their roster spots, but it has widely been believed for months that so-called "fringe" or "bubble" players could be cut during training camp and/or the preseason if they refused to get one of the available and safe vaccines. Read more here.AUGUST 18Dion Dawkins has not participated in team drills throughout Bills training camp, and Sean McDermott said the team’s starting left tackle is not close to being ready to return to full work. Dawkins landed on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list July 28 and required hospitalization after contracting the virus, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports. Read more here.AUGUST 17The Las Vegas Raiders made headlines Monday by becoming the league's first team to require fans show proof of vaccination to attend games. New York Giants co-owner John Mara admitted Tuesday he wishes all personnel required for completing games this season would be vaccinated against COVID-19. "I’d prefer that everybody be vaccinated," Mara told reporters. "I would’ve preferred that it would’ve been mandatory for players to get vaccinated. But the Players Association did not share that view, so we are where we are, which is not a bad spot to be in. Obviously, I’d like it to be 100% [of players vaccinated], because I think it’s the right thing to do." Mara added the Giants aren't following in the footsteps of the Raiders and requiring fans prove they are vaccinated to attend home games, but he didn't entirely rule the notion out. Read more here.Add the Carolina Panthers to the growing list of NFL teams requiring fans to wear proper face coverings in indoor areas of stadiums. Read more here.AUGUST 16Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera is getting tired of people spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. In an interview with Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, Rivera expressed his frustration about Americans listening to people other than their doctors regarding the vaccine. Read more here.Football fans planning on attending Saturday's preseason game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field will need to bring proper face coverings. "The Steelers and Heinz Field Management are requiring that all guests, staff and vendors at Heinz Field, regardless of their vaccination status, wear a mask while visiting all indoor areas of the stadium," the Steelers told ticket holders via an email shared on the club's website. "Regardless of vaccination status, all guests, staff and vendors at Heinz Field will be required to wear a mask while visiting any of the indoor areas of the stadium. Indoor areas include Club lobbies and lounges (UPMC Club, West Club, PNC Champions Club and North Club), Steelers Pro Shop locations, Restrooms, Elevators and other enclosed areas." The Steelers also added fans don't have to wear masks in the seating bowls or any other outdoor seating or concourse areas. Read more here.The Falcons confirmed on Monday they have all of their players fully vaccinated against COVID-19. They are the NFL's first team to hit a 100% vaccination rate among players. Read more here.AUGUST 13While touching upon the subject of the NFL and NFLPA potentially agreeing to mandatory player vaccines, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported "'a ton' of star players are opposed to the vaccine." Florio added that a source from "the management side of the ledger" told him mandatory player coronavirus vaccines "won’t happen and can’t happen, that the union would never approve of it." Read more here.Per Kevin Patra of the league's website, the Bears activated starting defensive tackle Eddie Goldman off the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday. Read more here.AUGUST 12NFL teams such as the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles are requiring patrons to wear proper face coverings in indoor areas of their stadiums because of fears related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Fans of the New Orleans Saints will have to go one step further to see their team in person this season. According to a NOLA.com report, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is expected to declare that individuals will have to show proof of either a COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative virus test to enter New Orleans public places such as bars, restaurants, concert venues and the Caesars Superdome, home of the Saints. Read more here.On Thursday, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio updated that five clubs were still below an 88% vaccination rate as of Wednesday morning. One team had reached only 74% heading into the first full weekend of preseason games. Read more here.AUGUST 10NFL Network's Tom Pelissero tweeted on Tuesday that the league is once again allowing for an unlimited number of players to return from the injured reserve list for the upcoming campaign. Additionally, players will be eligible to return from IR after missing a minimum of three games instead of eight. Read more here.AUGUST 9Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson still is undecided on receiving the COVID-19 vaccine despite being infected with the virus twice in the past eight months. "I just got off the COVID list," Jackson said after Monday's practice when asked if he would get the vaccine, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "I got to talk to my team about this and see how they feel about it. Keep learning as much as I can about it. We'll go from there." Jackson returned to training camp Saturday after being sidelined for 10 days following a positive COVID-19 test. According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Jackson was experiencing "a lot of COVID symptoms" while he was out. The former MVP added that he was not worried about the long-term effects of getting the virus. Read more here.Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post tweeted Monday that 86% of WFT's players are now at least partially vaccinated against the coronavirus, up from 36% as of early July. 59.3% of players are fully vaccinated. Read more here.AUGUST 7Since doubling down on his stance regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, a hospital Kirk Cousins partners with in his hometown of Holland, Michigan, cut ties with the Minnesota Vikings quarterback, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. Read more here.AUGUST 6Cam Newton missed time during the 2020 season due to testing positive for COVID-19, and he said in February that his brief absence set him and the entire Pats offense back through the remainder of the campaign. Knowing Newton could be sidelined at any time due to the league's COVID-19 protocols, a reporter reasonably asked him Thursday if he has been vaccinated against the virus, but the QB refused to answer. Read more here.AUGUST 5The NFL Players Association released new guidance on Thursday for vaccinated individuals, and Chicago Bears tight end Jimmy Graham seems frustrated by it. In a new memo that was circulated, the NFLPA announced that COVID-19 testing will be increased for vaccinated players and staff members. The number of tiered staff allowed in the locker room is also being reduced. The release cited the fact that 32 players and staffers who are vaccinated have tested positive for COVID-19. Vaccinated individuals will now be tested each day they enter their team’s facility. Graham shared a copy of the new guidance on Twitter and said he is “confused” by it. The veteran says he was essentially “forced” into getting vaccinated to begin with. Read more here.AUGUST 4According to Courtney Cronin of ESPN, Minnesota starting signal-caller Kirk Cousins and backup Nate Stanley are expected to return to practice Thursday after spending five full days on the COVID-19 list. Both were deemed high-risk close contacts when rookie quarterback Kellen Mond tested positive for the coronavirus. Read more here.AUGUST 3Vikings owner Mark Wilf told reporters on Tuesday he is worried about only 70% of players having at least one of their COVID-19 shots and is putting in the effort to make that number go up. Read more here.Maryland Governor Larry Hogan was asked on Tuesday about Lamar Jackson’s positive test, and he urged the former MVP to get vaccinated. Read more here.Eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson signed with the Vikings this past offseason and, per Judd Zulgad of SkorNorth.com, urged his teammates to complete their vaccination processes as soon as possible during his "All Things Covered" podcast. Read more here.AUGUST 2According to Ben Fischer and John Lombardo of Sports Business Journal, the NFL is mandating coronavirus vaccines for league employees who don't have qualifying disabilities or "sincerely held religious belief or practice" that would keep them from getting one of the shots. Those who aren't vaccinated are to begin the process Monday and be fully vaccinated by Sept. 6 or apply for an exception by Monday. The league's attorneys and human resources staff will review each request. Over 90% of the NFL’s employees in its New York City office are already vaccinated. Read more here.AUGUST 1The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the defending Super Bowl champions, and according to head coach Bruce Arians, they are nearly 100 percent defended against COVID-19. Read more here.JULY 31WFT head coach Ron Rivera sent a warning to his team after two more players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday, per ESPN's John Keim. Washington now has six players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including Brandon Scherff, David Sharpe, Curtis Samuel and Matt Ioannidis. If this had been the case one day before the team's season opener against the Chargers, then Scherff and Sharpe would also have missed the second game because it occurs on Thursday, Rivera noted. Read more here.
The Red Sox now have a combination of 12 players and coaches sidelined due to the coronavirus. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts; utility man Enrique Hernandez; second baseman Christian Arroyo; infielder Yairo Munoz; and pitchers Matt Barnes, Hirokazu Sawamura and Martin Perez tested positive for COVID-19, while left-hander Josh Taylor and first-base coach Tom Goodwin are in quarantine as close contacts. Quality control coach Ramon Vazquez has also tested positive for the virus. 
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon was once the poster child for limiting the spread of the coronavirus, after its Democratic governor imposed some of the nation’s strictest safety measures, including mask mandates indoors and outdoors, limits on gatherings and an order closing restaurants. But now the state is being hammered by the super-transmissible delta variant, and hospitals are getting stretched to the breaking point. The vast majority of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated. © Provided by Associated Press In this Thursday, Aug. 
Only three teams in the NFL have reportedly reached 100% vaccination: the Falcons, Buccaneers and Raiders.Beane was asked by John Kryk of the Toronto Sun whether it's a competitive disadvantage not to have a fully vaccinated roster. He said it is, especially when going up against a team that is fully vaccinated. 
