The Detroit Lions have reached 100% vaccination among their coaching staff.
Head coach Dan Campbell made that revelation Thursday, on the final day of mandatory minicamp.
Two Lions assistants, running backs coach/assistant head coach Duce Staley and receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, have been wearing masks at practice this week. Campbell said both are fully vaccinated, but still are in the 14-day post-vaccination period where they must remain masked.
“Everybody is vaccinated,” Campbell said. “So that’s all good.”
While NFL players have the option of getting vaccinated, NFL Network reported that all coaches and trainers must be vaccinated in order to retain Tier 1 status that allows them to interact in-person with players.
As of last week, coaches from at least four teams were refusing vaccinations, according to NFL Network.
The NFL will grant exceptions to its vaccination rules for medical and religious purposes, but those who are not fully vaccinated cannot access restricted areas of team facilities when players are present, attend in-person meetings or travel with the team.
Penei Sewell, the Lions’ first-round pick, missed rookie minicamp after he contracted COVID-19 following the draft.
Left tackle Taylor Decker said he does not plan to get vaccinated this year, though he declined to explain why.
The NFL is expected to keep social distancing rules in place for teams that do not meet a certain vaccination threshold this fall.
Campbell last week declined to say what percent of his team is vaccinated.
“I would say this though, every day we get more,” he said.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.