Scary news out of Minnesota on Wednesday. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said one of his players was in the hospital due to COVID-19 related pneumonia.
Zimmer did not name the player. However, ESPN reported it is guard Dakota Dozier.
Zimmer also said that the Vikings had a player, who is vaccinated, go to the hospital last night because he was having issues with breathing. That player is guard Dakota Dozier, per source, who was moved onto the COVID-19/Reserve list. Dozier is stable but still in the hospital.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) November 10, 2021
“I’m not a doctor, but it was COVID pneumonia or something, he had a hard time breathing,” Zimmer said.
Mike Zimmer on unnamed #Vikings player in hospital 1/2: "One of our players that was vaccinated, he had to go to the ER last night because of COVID. It’s serious stuff, so, I don’t know. Like 29 guys are getting tested because of close contact, including myself."
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) November 10, 2021
The Star-Tribune reported a handful of Minnesota players have been placed on the COVID-19 list.
Two more Vikings players have to stay away from the team after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday, bringing the total of isolated players up to five in the past five days.
Linebacker Ryan Connelly, who played 21 snaps on special teams during Sunday’s loss in Baltimore, and practice squad tackle Timon Parris have to clear league protocols to return, with the rules varying on whether they tested positive or were a close contact, as well as vaccinated or unvaccinated.
They join safety Harrison Smith, center Garrett Bradbury, and guard Dakota Dozier who were all placed on the COVID list since Thursday.
