Najee Harris is reportedly unvaccinated currently; has to wear a yellow wristband at practice

(Photo Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported yesterday that Steelers players who haven’t been vaccinated will be wearing yellow wristbands at practice.

The Associated Press reported last week that the Steelers are one of seven NFL teams with at least an 85% vaccination rate. And, according to Noah Strackbein of Sports Illustrated, Najee Harris is one of 12 Steelers players, at maximum, who are unvaccinated currently.

The NFL has set strict guidelines for players who are unvaccinated, and Commissioner Roger Goodell last week sent a memo to all 32 teams outlining COVID-19 guidelines for the 2021 season that calls for major consequences for teams with unvaccinated personnel, including the forfeiture of games. Any forfeits could result in players not being paid if their infections are known to have been the root of the outbreak.

It will be interesting to see if Harris is fully vaccinated by the start of the regular season or in the coming weeks. However, for all we know, Harris could have received just one shot and is waiting to get his second shot to become fully vaccinated. Running Benny Snell Jr. was also captured wearing a yellow wristband.

Having unvaccinated players wear yellow wristbands is also an interesting protocol set by the Steelers. I haven't heard of any other teams doing this. Nevertheless, the NFL is doing everything it can do to persuade players to get vaccinated.