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Cardinals Continue To Improve Vaccination Rate

Kingsbury says team is in 'a good place'

Center Marcus Henry (left) takes on defensive lineman Leki Fotu at a recent training camp practice.
Center Marcus Henry (left) takes on defensive lineman Leki Fotu at a recent training camp practice.

The Cardinals have had their issues with Covid in training camp, losing a couple of players to positive tests and having a handful of others having to sit out as close contacts.

But given that the team through much of the offseason was reportedly one of the least vaccinated rosters, they have come together as camp moves on. Even with a player on the Covid list now -- wide receiver Andy Isabella is in the middle of a 10-day stint -- quarterback Kyler Murray said the team is close to 100 percent jabbed.

"I think we are almost there, right, as far as everyone being vaccinated?" Murray said. "Yeah."

Coach Kliff Kingsbury said he didn't know the exact percentage of the team but "I know we're getting to a good place with it."

Defensive lineman Leki Fotu just had to miss the preseason opener as a close contact quarantine.

"I just want to speak for myself -- I've done my part to get fully vaccinated," Fotu said. "I'm sure my other teammates, with their situations, they will do what is best for them to do for them, and the team."

The vaccine rate is important football-wise because unvaccinated players face more difficult rules generally and especially if they are exposed to someone who has the virus. Losing players on game day -- Isabella will end up missing the first two preseason games, and Fotu, tight end Darrell Daniels, safety Charles Washington and running back James Conner missed the Cowboys game -- is a concern once the regular season begins.

"You can't really control what guys do off the field," Murray said. "If they are bought in, they will try their best to stay out of the way or not be close contact with people."

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