Kendricks, three starting linemen among five Vikings on COVID list
COVID-19 hit the Vikings more widely than ever Monday.
The Vikings placed five more players, including linebacker Eric Kendricks and three starting offensive linemen, on the reserve/COVID-19 list. They will not be allowed back at TCO Performance Center until they clear NFL protocols.
Right tackle Brian O'Neill, left tackle Christian Darrisaw, left guard Ezra Cleveland and safety Camryn Bynum were sent away from the team Monday along with Kendricks. All five played during Sunday night's 37-10 loss to the Packers.
The Vikings have isolated 29 players in the past two months. Monday's five additions were the most in a single day; they were among 36 isolations leaguewide.
"Maybe every one of our unvaccinated players has gotten it, but a lot of our vaccinated players have as well," coach Mike Zimmer said Monday afternoon. "We've lost [Dalvin] Tomlinson, we've lost [Kirk] Cousins, we've lost — I mean, even [Danielle] Hunter had it and he wasn't playing anymore. Harrison Smith for two weeks, I'm sure there's a lot more that I don't remember right now. It's a lot of juggling."
Because Kendricks is vaccinated, he can land on the COVID list only because he tested positive. He can return as soon as he's symptom-free for 24 hours and produces two negative tests; those tests can now be taken the same morning under updated league protocols. Unvaccinated players who tested positive could also return by Sunday's season finale vs. Chicago, because the league's minimum quarantine has been cut to five days for asymptomatic cases.
Unvaccinated players are tested daily. An update to league protocols in December cut back testing for vaccinated players.
Seven players are on the COVID list, including quarterback Cousins and linebacker Nick Vigil. Defensive end Patrick Jones II was cleared to return Monday.
The Vikings are down to six offensive linemen — Oli Udoh, Garrett Bradbury, Rashod Hill, Blake Brandel, Dakota Dozier and Wyatt Davis — on the active roster. They also have guard Kyle Hinton and tackle Timon Parris on the practice squad.
Safety Xavier Woods cited the challenge when he discussed the league protocols in December.
"Every team is going to have guys on the COVID list," he said. "You just have to make up for what you lose as far as players."
