The NFLPA is reportedly opening an investigation into Jags' Urban Meyer, who said vaccine status affected cuts in the roster

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When the Jaguars trimmed their list to 53 players on Tuesday, they not only took into account out-of-season performances. According to new coach Urban Meyer, Jacksonville also included whether players were vaccinated against COVID-19 or not, in decisions related to the NFL’s cut-off deadline. Now the NFL Players Association has opened an investigation into the situation, pr ProFootballTalk.

The NFLPA has not commented on Meyer’s comments other than to say the coach’s statements directly led to their next step. The NFL, meanwhile, does not require players to be vaccinated for COVID-19, but has implemented stricter protocols for players and staff who are unvaccinated entering the 2021. According to ProFootballTalk, the league’s current rules prohibit teams from using vaccination status to inform hiring decisions.

Meyer’s comments were first reported by John Reid of Florida Times-Union, and came in response to questions about the process of deciding between players for the final roster.

'' Everyone was considered, '' the coach said. It was part of the production, and was he also vaccinated or not. To say it was a decision maker was certainly under consideration. ''

Meyer is not the first notable name to create controversy over vaccine-related remarks in the NFL. Bill General Manager Brandon Beane said early this offseason that he would cut off any player who did not receive the COVID vaccine before facing backlash from NFLPA CEO DeMaurice Smith and eventually per. ProFootballTalk, where he addressed the comments with the league leaders.