Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has landed on his team’s COVID-19 reserve list, multiple news outlets reported Monday.
The Vikings starting quarterback joins his backups rookie Kellen Mond and Nate Stanley and wide receiver Myron Mitchell on the team’s COVID-19 list, according to sports reporter Josina Anderson.
Cousins, who said in June that he would not disclose whether he has taken a COVID-19 vaccine, will have to isolate himself for five days after being exposed to the virus. He is widely thought to not be vaccinated, which was a subject of the Monday story in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
The delta variant has been sweeping through the country, leading to a surge in new infections as the NFL heads for its new season in September.
The NFL commissioner’s office issued a memo to all 32 clubs warning them about forfeiting games this season if they are unable to play due to outbreaks among players not vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Various NFL players including DeAndre Hopkins, Cole Beasley, Dak Prescott and Carson Wentz have said they either oppose getting vaccinated or do not want to disclose whether they have done so.
During a training camp media session Sunday, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters that he’s “disappointed and frustrated” with everyone in the organization for allowing another COVID-19 outbreak to happen, FOX News affiliate KMSP-TV reported on Sunday.
“Quite honestly, going through everything we went through last year, I’m not surprised one bit. I am disappointed that this happened,” Zimmer said during the session. “I’m frustrated with, not just my football players that won’t get vaccinated. I’m frustrated with everybody, so we’ll just do the best we can. It’s disappointing.”
Cousins shared in September on the “Ringer” podcast that he isn’t concerned about dying from the virus.
“Survival-of-the-fittest kind of approach. And just say, if it knocks me out, it knocks me out. I’m going to be OK. You know, even if I die. If I die, I die. I kind of have peace about that,” Cousins said.