The Minnesota Vikings sent quarterback Kirk Cousins home on Thursday after he reported that he was not feeling well. A day later, it was revealed that Cousins, in fact, had tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, he will not be with the Vikings when they open their preseason schedule on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Coach Kevin O’Connell made the announcement on Friday.
Cousins can return to camp as early as Tuesday. He won’t make the trip to Las Vegas. Minimal symptoms, per O’Connell.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) August 12, 2022
If this news brings a sense of déjà vu, there’s a reason for that. This isn’t the first time that Cousins has been down this road.
The unvaccinated Cousins tested positive for COVID-19 prior the Minnesota’s Week 17 game against the Green Bay Packers during the 2021 season. He ended up missing the game, which the Vikings lost 37-10, squashing their already slim postseason hopes. Cousins also missed practices during training camp in 2021 when he was a close contact of backup quarterback Kellen Mond, who had tested positive.
For many in the NFL world, this felt like watching a rerun.
This is the 3rd time in 13 months that #Vikings QB Kirk Cousins has been forced to miss practice time and/or a game due to contracting the COVID-19 virus or being a close contact to someone else who contracted the virus
— Adam Patrick (@adampatrickNFL) August 12, 2022
Not sure why the Vikings continue to put up with this. Are mediocre quarterbacks that difficult to find? https://t.co/F7yZ6aybRZ
— Tim Dahlberg (@timdahlberg) August 12, 2022
wondered why that old tweet from before the Green Bay game was back, clicked through, and lmao https://t.co/pYvb660Ocw
— jonbernhardt.bsky.social (@jonbernhardt) August 12, 2022
Mike Zimmer sitting at home like "See? Told you!" https://t.co/dv8pFNVLbf
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) August 12, 2022
Couldn't bear to endure a criticism-free summer. https://t.co/b8DYrD297y
— Mike Tanier (@MikeTanier) August 12, 2022
There’s never a good time to test positive for COVID. That said, the timing of this is about as good as it could possibly be for both Cousins and the Vikings.
As the starting quarterback, Cousins was not likely to see much action against Las Vegas. Quarterbacks — especially veterans — frequently don’t play more than a possession (if even that) in the preseason opener. So, as long as the symptoms remain mild, this should have minimal impact on the team.
Even if the impact is minimal, the same can’t necesarilly be said for the frustration that the Vikings and their fans might be feeling.
[Kevin Seifert on Twitter]
