Vikings QB Kirk Cousins Lands On COVID-19 List, Out Sunday Vs. Packers
Vikings unvaccinated quarterback Kirk Cousins was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday after experiencing symptoms and subsequently testing positive.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Cousins self reported his symptoms. That knocks him out of the Vikings' (7-8) Week 17 road tilt against the Packers (12-3) on Sunday night at 8:20 p.m. on NBC.
Backup quarterback Sean Mannion has been on the reserve/COVID-19 list since Sunday and is uncertain for Sunday. That leaves Kellen Mond and Kyle Sloter as head coach Mike Zimmer's options for under center.
Mond figures to get the start, Minnesota's 2021 third-round selection out of Texas A&M. In three seasons as starter under Jimbo Fisher's Aggies from 2018-20, Mond threw for 8,286 yards, 63 touchdowns and 21 interceptions on 60.7% passing.
He'll be tasked with keeping the Vikings' slim playoff hopes alive in the NFC. Minnesota is currently the No. 8 seed, needing help to sneak in. The Packers, meanwhile, are riding a four-game winning streak, their last loss coming against these same Vikings in Week 11 on Nov. 21.
Cousins becomes the second unvaccinated quarterback to test positive this week, with Colts quarterback Carson Wentz landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday.
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