MINNEAPOLIS — Running back Dalvin Cook returned to TCO Performance Center on Wednesday, ending his quarantine after six days following a positive COVID-19 test. The Vikings' star will be available to play Sunday at Green Bay.
Cook's return will likely be among many leaguewide expedited by recently updated protocols negotiated between the NFL and NFLPA this week, which follow CDC guidelines that recently shortened the recommended time for isolation from 10 to five days.
Cook said he was frustrated watching on television as the Vikings lost to the Rams without him. Unvaccinated players were previously required to quarantine at least 10 days. He said he didn't want to discuss whether he was considering getting vaccinated.
"I wish this rule would have come out last week," Cook said Wednesday, "so I could have come back earlier, but it didn't. I'm just glad everything worked out that I'm back this week."
Practice squad cornerback Tye Smith was also cleared to return.
Defensive end Patrick Jones became the newest addition Wednesday, leaving four players in quarantine, including guard Oli Udoh, quarterback Sean Mannion and tackle Rashod Hill.
Since Udoh is vaccinated, Zimmer said the Vikings can get him back "quickly." New protocols still require two negative tests before returning, but they no longer need to be taken a day apart.
If Mannion, who tested positive Sunday and is also vaccinated, isn't cleared to suit up against the Packers, third-round rookie Kellen Mond would again be the backup. The Vikings re-signed quarterback Kyle Sloter this week, prompting the question who would be the No. 2 behind Kirk Cousins.
"Well, I haven't seen Sloter practice yet," Zimmer said, "so I would assume Mond."
Zimmer spoke with defensive coordinator Andre Patterson on Wednesday morning and said he's "feeling better" after testing positive last week and dealing with COVID-19-related symptoms. Patterson remains away from the team.
"I'm hopeful that he's back [Thursday]," Zimmer said.
Barr named Vikings' courage award recipient
Linebacker Anthony Barr was named this year's Ed Block Courage Award Recipient, an annual recognition given to a player on each NFL team who "exemplifies commitments to sportsmanship and courage." Barr, the team captain in his eighth Vikings season, was also nominated as the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year candidate this month.
Each team's Ed Block recipient will be honored at a banquet in Baltimore, scheduled for early April 2022. He's the fourth consecutive defender nominated by the team, joining linebacker Cameron Smith, nose tackle Linval Joseph and defensive end Everson Griffen.
Etc.
— Special teams assistant coach Robert Steeples will leave the team to join Brian Kelly's staff at LSU once the Vikings' season is over. Steeples, a former NFL cornerback who appeared in two games for the Vikings in 2013, will be a defensive assistant for the Tigers, the school announced.
— How are the Vikings preparing for forecasted single-digit temperatures on Sunday night at Lambeau Field? "We'll go outside [Thursday] and probably Friday," Zimmer said. "We'll open the doors indoors [Wednesday], so it should be nice and chilly in there."
