Silver Minings: Saints’ game gives Las Vegas Raiders an idea of vaccine plan

Las Vegas Raiders and Nevada health officials were surely keeping an eye on what occurred in New Orleans on Monday prior to the Saints preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Saints began their coronavirus program that only allowed fully vaccinated fans and fans who had proof of a negative COVID-19 test in the past 72 hours. The Saints were also offering to give a vaccine shot prior to the game to fans to allow them into the game —reportedly, 100 fans took them up on that offer.

The Raiders will offer the COVID-19 vaccine prior to games this season, as well. Fans who get the shot can attend that day’s game while wearing a mask. Otherwise, only fully vaccinated fans (with proof) will be allowed to attend all games at Allegiant Stadium this season, beginning Week 1 of the regular season when the Raiders host the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 13 on Monday Night Football.

The Raiders are the first team that will allow only vaccinated adult fans in the stadium. No fans with negative COVID-19 tests will be allowed in. They must at least have started the vaccination process. Fully vaccinated fans will not be required to wear masks, and fans under the age of 12 can attend games while wearing masks.

During the Raiders’ Aug. 14 preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks — the first ever Raiders’ game in Las Vegas with fans in attendance — fans were required to wear masks. Two days later, the Raiders changed their guidelines.

It will be interesting to see how many fans get vaccinated on game day each week. I bet it’s more than 100 shots a game.

In other Raiders’ links:

• Quiet man: The Raiders’ website has a look at the quiet leadership of first-round pick, right tackle Alex Leatherwood.
• Ruggs the leader: Henry Ruggs led the NFL in average depth of his targets as a rookie in 2020.
• Rook Mic’d up: Undrafted rookie running back Trey Ragas, who is making a huge push to make the Raiders’ 53- man roster, was Mic’d up against the Rams on Saturday night.
• Hobbs talk: The Associated Press has a feature on Raiders’ preseason star, rookie cornerback Nate Hobbs.