Back during offseason workouts and Training Camp, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer warned about the very possibility of losing key players at inopportune times for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
"We could put this thing to bed if we'd all do this, but it is what it is." - Coach Zimmer pic.twitter.com/nL8PmUZeM1
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 2, 2021
Now, Zimmer is seeing this nightmare unfold at the worst possible moment with the playoffs still in reach, as starting quarterback Kirk Cousins is out with a positive COVID-19 test for Sunday's primetime game vs. the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
The news was first broken by ESPN's Adam Schefter, who reports that Cousins had COVID symptoms, and after reporting those symptoms to team officials, tested positive.
Vikings’ QB Kirk Cousins tested positive for COVID, sources tell ESPN. As an unvaccinated player, he’s out Sunday night vs. Packers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 31, 2021
Due to Cousins' unvaccinated status, he has no opportunity to test out of the COVID-19 protocol before Sunday night's game.
Who will be the Vikings QB on Sunday? Sean Mannion, Kellen Mond or Kyle Sloter?
As of this writing, Mannion remains on the league's COVID-19 list after testing positive last Sunday. Mond appears to be in line to make the start ahead of Sloter as of now, but nothing has been confirmed. Mond was the 66th overall pick in 2021 out of Texas A&M this season after playing four years in College Station.
#Vikings backup QB Sean Mannion tested positive on Sunday. The other QBs on the roster are rookie Kellen Mond and Kyle Sloter, who signed earlier this week. Mannion could be cleared today, and Minnesota will have to start one of them in a must-win game Sunday at Green Bay. https://t.co/a6hewxEEaN
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 31, 2021
The Packers opened as 7-point favorites at WynnBET Sportsbook before inching towards the Vikings side at +6.5. The line as of Friday morning went back up to 7 before being taken off the board for now.