The Falcons, who have two players on the NFL’s Reserve/COVID-19 list, are closing in on a 100% vaccination rate.

“We feel really good,” coach Arthur Smith said Thursday after his team’s first practice of training camp. “We’ve got a very high vaccination rate.”

Fewer than five of the Falcons’ 90 players aren’t vaccinated.

“Obviously, when you put guys on the COVID-IR, it could be a couple of different things,” Smith said. “You’ll see some guys back sooner than others.”

Entering training camp, the Falcons were one of 10 teams with over a 90% vaccination rate.

“We’re in different spots with the team,” Smith said. “There’s a big portion that are fully vaccinated. We’ve got guys that are waiting after their second shot. We have a couple that are in-between, and we only have a handful that haven’t gotten it yet. We feel really good about where we are at.”

Smith said the Falcons did the soft-sell approach with the players.

“We just made it available,” Smith said. “Told them what the facts are. Didn’t try to pander. Go speak to the medical professionals, and make your own choice. So we feel pretty good about where we are.”

The Bow Tie Chronicles

For more content about The Atlanta Falcons

Follow me on Twitter @DOrlandoAJC

On Facebook at Atlanta Falcons News Now

Atlanta Falcons coverage on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Falcons’ 2021 schedule features trip to London, January trip to Buffalo

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (left) is unable to cacth the ball but the referee called pass interference on Miami Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas (right) during the second half of an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, October 26, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Tracy Woodard from InTown Cares (left) and Lauren Hopper from Mercy Care organization work with residents at the Copperton Street encampment in August 2024. 
(Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez