The #Vikings have placed QB Kirk Cousins on Reserve/COVID-19.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 31, 2021
Sunday night’s showdown with the rival Minnesota Vikings just took a turn for the Green Bay Packers.
The Vikings placed starting quarterback Kirk Cousins on the COVID-19 reserve list on Friday, meaning he’s out for Sunday against the Packers.
The Vikings also activated backup quarterback Sean Mannion from the COVID-19 reserve list, so he could be the starter on Sunday night. The Vikings also have Kyle Sloter, who was signed this week, and rookie Kellen Mond. Neither quarterback has played in a regular-season NFL game.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Mannion is expected to start.
Cousins started all 15 of the Vikings games this season, leading Mike Zimmer’s team to a 7-8 record. Minnesota needs a win to stay in the NFC playoff race.
Over 15 games, Cousins completed 66.4 percent of his passes, averaged 7.4 yards per attempt, and tossed 30 touchdown passes and only seven interceptions. His passer rating is 101.3.
No other Vikings quarterback has attempted a pass for Minnesota this season.
In the first meeting with the Packers last month, Cousins completed 24 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns. The Vikings won on a game-winning field goal as time expired.
Cousins is an unvaccinated player and has no chance to return to the team before Sunday’s game.
