Vikings QB Kirk Cousins 'feeling pretty darn good' after self-reporting COVID-19 symptoms

As Chad Graff previously noted for The Athletic, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins famously missed a game late last season after he tested positive for COVID-19 while following NFL protocols for unvaccinated players.

Such protocols aren't in place this summer, but Cousins nevertheless was sent home from Thursday's practice after he self-reported virus symptoms to the team. The 33-year-old has since tested positive for COVID-19 and, thus, will miss Sunday's preseason opener at the Las Vegas Raiders. 

Cousins must remain away from the team for a minimum of five days per league rules.

"He's feeling pretty darn good and very limited symptoms," head coach Kevin O'Connell said of his QB1 while speaking with reporters on Friday, according to Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune. "He's wearing me out about the install this morning and the plan for Sunday. Unfortunately, he will not make the trip. We're going to let him rest up and get ready to go. He should, by the protocol standard, be back Tuesday morning, ready to roll for our 49ers practices." 

Minnesota hosts the San Francisco 49ers on Aug. 20. 

O'Connell didn't say who will start in Cousins' place between backup options Sean Mannion and Kellen Mond but added they will get a "50-50" split of the snaps versus the Raiders. Mond, a third-round pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, remarked this spring that Minnesota's offseason hiring of O'Connell would "add a little bit more flavor" to the offense after the 23-year-old seemed to clash with former head coach Mike Zimmer.