Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is STILL hesitating to get COVID vaccine despite twice testing positive for virus

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson won't commit to getting the COVID-19 vaccine despite testing positive for the virus twice.  

'I just got off the COVID list, so I've got to talk to my team doctors and try to see how they feel about it,' the former NFL Most Valuable Player said Monday at Ravens training camp. 'Keep learning as much as I can about it, and we'll go from there.'

Jackson spoke to the media Monday for the first time since returning from the COVID-19 list. He began practicing Saturday. Jackson's positive COVID-19 test came right before the start of training camp. He also tested positive last season and missed a game.

Now coming off his second bout with COVID-19, Baltimore Ravens quarterback and Lamar Jackson remains noncommittal about receiving the vaccine, and told reporters on Monday that he will continue to educate himself on the subject 'and go from there'

Jackson spoke to the media Monday for the first time since returning from the COVID-19 list. He began practicing Saturday. Jackson's positive COVID-19 test came right before the start of training camp. He also tested positive last season and missed a game 

Jackson said the virus affected him similarly this time around.  

'Just like last time probably - fatigued, if anything. I was sleeping a lot,' Jackson said. 'But I'm glad to be back.'

Although Jackson was in good spirits Monday, he said the positive test was tough to take, especially given the timing.

'It was crazy. I was heartbroken, because I wasn't looking forward to that at all - right before camp,' he said. 'It was like, not again, not right now. But it's over with.'

The COVID-19 vaccine remains one of the biggest controversies during the NFL preseason. 

A general view of signage encouraging unvaccinated fans to wear face masks during Baltimore Ravens training camp at M&T Bank Stadium on July 31, 2021 in Baltimore

Baltimore Ravens Justice Hill, right, and Johnny Townsend walk of the field wearing masks after an NFL football training camp practice, Wednesday

Recently Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill revealed that he didn't want the COVID-19 vaccine, but got it because the NFL 'forced his hand' with protocols that would have made his life 'miserable' otherwise. 

'I'm currently in the process right now,' Tannehill told reporters after Thursday's training camp practice. 'The NFL has kind of made it clear what they want to happen. If you don't fall in line, they're going to make your life miserable with all the protocols.

'It is what it is,' he continued. 'I love this game. I love this team. I want to be able to compete and do the things I think are important to build chemistry and win football games. Ultimately, that forced my hand into getting the vaccine.' 

League players are only encouraged to get the vaccine, while all Tier 1 and 2 personnel, which includes coaches, are required to get the injection.

The protocols for unvaccinated players remain the same as they were for everyone during the 2020 season. The difference now, since the release of several vaccines, is that players who have gotten the injections are free from certain testing, distancing, and mask protocols.  

Unvaccinated players, however, will need to distance, wear masks, and get daily tests.

The NFL and NFLPA detailed new protocols for vaccinated players in another recent memo 

The NFL announced on August 3 that 90 percent of league players are fully vaccinated or have at least one shot, while nine teams have at least 95 percent of players vaccinated. 

Players were given further incentive to get vaccinated in late July when the NFL sent out a memo to teams explaining that they could forfeit games if COVID-19 outbreaks result in canceled games. Furthermore, players could suffer lost paychecks due any cancelations.   

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell warned the 32 teams in the memo obtained by DailyMail.com that no games would be rescheduled in the event of an outbreak. Instead, infected teams could be forced to forfeit games. 

'As we learned last year, we can play a full season if we maintain a firm commitment to adhering to our health and safety protocols and to making needed adjustments in response to changing conditions,' Goodell said.

He added that the league does not anticipate adding a 19th week to accommodate games that need to be moved because of coronavirus issues.

'If a game can't be rescheduled and is canceled due to a COVID outbreak among non-vaccinated players on one of the competing teams, the team with the outbreak will forfeit and will be deemed to have played 16 games for purposes of draft, waiver priority, etc,' Goodell added. 

For purposes of playoff seeding, the forfeiting team would be assessed a loss and the other team a win. 

In a memo sent by commissioner Roger Goodell's office in July, the league noted that teams had inquired about best practices for monitoring protocol compliance at the facility, particularly given the protocol modifications for fully vaccinated individuals

While players are only encouraged - and not required - to get vaccinated, coaches, scouts, equipment managers and team executives must be fully vaccinated in order to work in the NFL.

That was a problem with the Vikings last month after offensive line coach Rick Dennison was reportedly on his way out of Minnesota after refusing to to be vaccinated.

ESPN reported that Dennison, an offensive line coach and running game coordinator, stepped down, becoming the first position coach to leave a team because of vaccine guidelines.

The team, however, told DailyMail.com that Dennison remained an employee.

The two sides found a compromise on July 27, when the team announced that Dennison would serve as an offensive advisor this season. 

The New England Patriots and assistant Cole Popovich could not come to a similar agreement, and the co-offensive line coach will be leaving the team over the NFL's vaccination policy, according to multiple reports.

Minnesota Vikings assistant coach Rick Dennison will remain with the team in a new role despite his decision not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, in violation of NFL rules

The New England Patriots and assistant Cole Popovich could not come to a compromise and the co-offensive line coach will be leaving the team over the NFL's vaccination policy, according to multiple reports

As for Jackson, it's been quite a few weeks.  

He tested positive for COVID-19 again, missing the beginning of training camp. While he was away, Buffalo's Josh Allen - another quarterback from Jackson's draft class - signed a big extension, raising more questions about how Jackson's negotiations are going with the Ravens.

Now Jackson is practicing again, trying to make up for lost time while adjusting to some important new teammates.

Jackson said he tried to stay sharp by throwing in his backyard - his cousins served as receivers. Baltimore plays its first exhibition game Saturday night against New Orleans. The preseason games may not be all that significant for a player of Jackson's stature, but he could use time on the field.

A member of the stadium services team holds a Mask Required sign during the second half of the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2020 in Baltimore

Baltimore added receiver Sammy Watkins in the offseason and drafted receiver Rashod Bateman, part of an effort to improve what was the lowest passing output in the league a season ago.

'Sammy makes my job a lot easier, and my job is to make his a lot easier,' Jackson said. 'Even when we're doing scramble drills and stuff like that, he's fighting off defenders, getting open. I missed him in the end zone, little back shoulder, he was right there. I'm mad I missed him. I'm still mad right now.'

As for Allen's contract, Jackson wasn't saying much about how that might affect his negotiations.

'That's good for him, but like I said, I'm not worried about that,' Jackson said. 'I'm just trying to work on getting better right now. I just got off COVID, I'm worried about my teammates, and we're trying to get somewhere. The time will come about that.'

Coach John Harbaugh also indicated there wasn't anything new to report on that front.

'It'll happen when it's going to happen. It's best for both sides to happen, both sides want it to happen,' he said. 'There's really not a hurry.' 

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson walks off the field following Monday's practice