Report: NFL adding further measures to encourage COVID-19 vaccination

The NFL continues to push for its players to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Any game that can't be rescheduled this season due to a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players on one of the competing teams will result in a forfeit by the club responsible for the outbreak, the league announced, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Additionally, all players on both teams involved in a forfeited game won't be paid their salary for that week, adds Pelissero.

"Every club is obligated under the constitution and bylaws to have its team ready to play at the scheduled time and place," the NFL said. "A failure to do so is deemed conduct detrimental. There is no right to postpone a game."

"If a club cannot play due to a COVID spike in vaccinated individuals, we will attempt to minimize the competitive and economic burden on both participating teams," the league added.

The NFL already eased restrictions this season for fully vaccinated players by eliminating daily testing for them. Other changes made for fully vaccinated players include no quarantine following exposure to someone who tests positive and no required physical distancing in team facilities.

Additionally, unvaccinated players will still be prohibited from gathering outside of the club facility unless they receive NFL and union approval.

More than 78% of players across the league have had at least one dose of the vaccine and 14 teams have topped the 85% threshold set by the NFL, according to Judy Battista of NFL.com.

Multiple players have publicly stated they're against taking the COVID-19 vaccine. Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley recently shared a series of tweets criticizing the NFLPA's protocols.

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