Mike Zimmer 'frustrated' after COVID close contact causes Kirk Cousins to miss practice
Mike Zimmer 'frustrated' after COVID close contact causes Kirk Cousins to miss practice
Zimmer urges players to get vaccinated
By Matthew Coller
EAGAN — Mike Zimmer opened up training camp by urging players — and everyone else — to get vaccinated. Just four days into camp, COVID has already had an impact on the Minnesota Vikings and vaccination status is playing a role.
Kirk Cousins was unable to practice on Saturday night due to being a high-risk close contact, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Rookie quarterback Kellen Mond reportedly tested positive for COVID. Per NFL rules, players who are vaccinated can continue to practice even if they’ve been in contact with someone who tests positive. That left Jake Browning as the only quarterback eligible to practice.
“Quite honestly, after everything we went through last year, I’m not surprised one bit,” Zimmer said prior to Saturday’s practice. “I am disappointed that this happened. I’m frustrated, not just with my football players who didn’t get vaccinated, but I’m frustrated with everybody [who didn’t]. We’ll just do the best we can. It’s just disappointing.”
Asked if Browning would have a chance to make an impression with his extra practice reps, Zimmer said:
"Yeah, well I think, like I said earlier, Jake's really smart,” Zimmer said. “He's vaccinated, that helps to be the backup. So as we move forward here, he's gonna get a ton of reps tonight. I don't about saying 'it's going to go a long way' because we've still a lot of camp to go. But we'll see. He's out there, he's available, that's important. It's important to be available when you're playing football, a team sport."
Per NFL rules, unvaccinated players who are in close contact must isolate for five days. The Vikings have Sunday off but Cousins will miss some practice time next week. He will have to participate in meetings virtually.
“Something like this happens a day before a game that has a chance to get you to the playoffs or something like that,” Zimmer said. “This Delta variant is rough. You can see the cases going up every single day now. That’s why, for the sake of everybody’s health, I think it’s important. But some people don’t understand, I guess.”
Zimmer said that they did not consider canceling practice.
“No. Nope. No, we’re not going to fold our tents because a couple guys aren’t here,” Zimmer said.