Vikings put RB Alexander Mattison on COVID list, will miss Chicago game
Dec. 13—The Vikings on Monday placed backup running back Alexander Mattison on the COVID-19 reserve list after he tested positive, and he will miss next Monday's game at Chicago.
A source said that Mattison is not vaccinated, so NFL protocols call for him to quarantine for 10 days. After learning about Mattison, the Vikings claimed running back Wayne Gallman off waivers from Atlanta, and he could be in uniform against the Bears.
The Vikings also put wide receiver Dan Chisena on the COVID list, linebacker Ryan Connelly on injured reserve, guard Kyle Hinton on the practice squad COVID list and moved wide receiver Bisi Johnson from the COVID injured reserve list back to injured reserve.
According to ESPN, positive tests Monday require the Vikings to enter the NFL's enhanced COVID protocols. They require daily testing regardless of vaccination status, mandatory masking at the team facility and other stringent measures.
A source said Mattison, who has rushed for 432 yards this season, is generally feeling fine. Mattison has started three times when Dalvin Cook was out with injuries, rushing for 315 yards in those games.
Gallman on Monday could be the third running back behind Cook and Kene Nwangwu, although the Vikings also have A.J. Rose Jr. on the practice squad. Gallman, a fourth-round pick by the New York Giants in 2017 out of Clemson, played for them from 2017-20 and rushed for 682 yards last year. Gallman was waived Saturday by the Falcons after this season carrying 28 times for 104 yards.
There's no certainty that a third running back would get carries in a game. In the Vikings' 36-28 victory over Pittsburgh last Thursday, Cook rushed for 205 yards on 27 carries and Mattison for 27 yards on six attempts while Nwangwu didn't have a carry.
Chisena has been regarded as one of Minnesota's top special teams players. Connelly also has been a fixture on special teams.
Johnson is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL in training camp. By being off a COVID list, he can return to the TCO Performance Center for rehab work.
With Mattison and Chisena going on the COVID list, the Vikings could have an option for the Chicago game with Kenny Willekes, who is on the practice squad but is their top reserve defensive end. Willekes is out of standard elevations, but he could be a COVID replacement player for the game if he's not signed to the 53-man roster.
