Jon Robinson, Tennessee’s general manager, made a plea for the people of Tennessee to get the COVID-19 vaccine as the Titans’ viral outbreak reached nine.
Robinson stated, “We have had two people I know who have lost loved ones to COVID symptoms and complications.” It’s a lifesaving vaccination.
Robinson stated that Tannehill, Geoff Swaim, tight end, and Justin March-Lillard were among four players on the reserve/COVID-19 roster. Tannehill worked out Tuesday and spoke to reporters afterwards.
Three Titans starters are now out. On Thursday, Coach Mike Vrabel shared with reporters via Zoom that Craig Aukerman, special teams coordinator, was also affected. He missed the last two days of work and will likely miss Saturday’s preseason finale against Chicago (1-1).
The Titans GM stated that the team is within 97% to 98% of being vaccinated. This indicates that a person has had COVID-19 recently or previously. Tannehill said at the start of training camp that he was in the process of being vaccinated.
Vrabel announced Sunday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 a day after the Titans beat Tampa Bay 34-3 in Florida following two days of joint practices with the Bucs. He later received monoclonal antibodies treatment.
Thursday, he said he was proud of his team’s vaccination rates and that he believes it helped to ease the symptoms for both him and Tennessee players.
Vrabel stated, “It’s important because there’s no failsafe.” We’ve proved that. We can only do what we can to maximize our safety, our team’s ability to work together, our families’ safety, and our job performance.
Vrabel will not be able to attend Saturday’s game as he has yet test negative. Matt Barkley, who signed with the team Aug. 5, will start against the Bears and rotate with Logan Woodside every two series as they compete to back up Tannehill.
Tennessee took extra precautions, and the team required masks in its headquarters beginning Tuesday. Robinson said the Titans are going “above and beyond” what they did last season when they had the NFL’s first virus outbreak.
Both in Florida and Tennessee, the number of positive cases has been increasing. Robinson’s oldest daughter, Taylor, has several auto-immune issues, including Type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Robinson stated that they can see the spread beyond their Tennessee team.
“My sister is a teacher in Union City and she told me that it was rampant at her school. They’re doing all they can Robinson said. “I believe everyone is doing their best to help it. The most important thing is the vaccine, which saves lives.
He felt safe eating out in Florida because he was vaccinated.
Robinson stated that if you have the disease and are vaccinated, then it appears that you will be sick for a few days and then recover. Robinson said that there is comfort in eating out and trying to return to normalcy. The vaccine is a great help, I’m sure.
The NFL and NFL Players Association protocols require that a person who has tested positive for the NFL or NFL Players Association must submit to two negative tests within 48 hours. If someone is found positive, they can either return to work or be placed in a minimum of 10 days quarantine.
Reserve offensive lineman Kendall Lamm, has asthma and said he has been vaccinated because he wants to live a long life and have a family and children.
Lamm spoke highly of the Titans, saying that “the protocols and stuff they do there, they’re doing it.” “They are top-notch, and that is something I really appreciate. It allows me to sleep better at night as someone with asthma.”
Harold Landry, a linebacker, was the first to be affected by the latest virus outbreak. He went on Wednesday to the reserve/COVID-19 lists.
Other players on the list are defensive lineman Anthony Rush, Nick Dzubnar, and running back Jeremy McNichols. The reserve/COVID-19 listing is for those who have been in close contact with infected persons or tested positive.
