Vikings QB Kirk Cousins off COVID-19 reserve list, will start Sunday vs. Bears
Jan. 5—Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins was activated Wednesday off the COVID-19 reserve list, and head coach Mike Zimmer said he will start in Sunday's season finale against Chicago at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Cousins, who is unvaccinated, tested positive last Friday and missed Minnesota's 37-10 loss at Green Bay two days later. The defeat eliminated the Vikings (7-9) from the playoff race.
"It's just another day," Zimmer said of Cousins being back at the TCO Performance Center.
It was expected that Cousins would be back on the active roster on Wednesday. The NFL changed protocols two weeks ago to allow all players, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, to return to the roster after five days of quarantine if they don't have a fever within 24 hours and they don't have symptoms or symptoms are improving.
The Vikings on Wednesday also placed defensive end Tashawn Bower on the COVID list and signed cornerback Bryan Mills to the practice squad.
Zimmer said Monday he planned to play his starters in Sunday's game, which has no bearing on the playoff race. He expects all five players who were placed on the COVID list on Monday to play against the Bears. Linebacker Eric Kendricks, tackles Brian O'Neill and Christian Darrisaw, guard Ezra Cleveland and safety Camryn Bynum all are expected to be off the list by Saturday.
Asked if any rookies who haven't had much action this season would play Sunday, Zimmer said, "No."
