NFL teams will forfeit games this season if they can't play due to a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players

• The NFL told teams that games will be forfeited this coming season if there's a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players.
• The forfeit will result in a loss, and neither team's players will receive a weekly salary, according to a memo obtained by NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero.
• As of Thursday, more than half of the NFL's clubs had more than 80% of their players vaccinated, the memo said.

The NFL reportedly told teams on Thursday that they will have to forfeit games in the upcoming 18-week season in 2021 if there is a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players.

According to a memo first obtained by NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero, the teams will then be credited with a loss and the game will not be rescheduled.

Further, if a game is canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak, neither team's players will receive weekly salary, according to the memo.

"Every club is obligated under the Constitution and Bylaws to have its team ready to play at the scheduled time and place. A failure to do so is deemed conduct detrimental. There is no right to postpone a game," the memo said.

The memo said that as of Thursday, more than half of the NFL's clubs had more than 80% of their players vaccinated, and nearly all clubs had a 100% vaccination rate among Tier 1 and Tier 2 staff.

"We know that vaccines are safe and effective and are the best step anyone can take to be safe from the coronavirus," the memo said.