Before quarterback Kirk Cousins missed last week's game against the Packers after testing positive for COVID-19, the only other absence of his seven NFL seasons as a full-time starter was being held out of 2019's regular-season finale against the Bears because the Vikings had locked up a playoff spot.
Cousins will start against the Bears in this Sunday's regular-season finale, also devoid of playoff implications as they're mathematically eliminated, after he was officially activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday.
Cousins said he had "mild symptoms" while watching on television as the Vikings' playoff hopes were extinguished in a 37-10 loss to Green Bay at Lambeau Field on Sunday night. Quarterback Sean Mannion threw for 189 yards and a touchdown in his third NFL start.
"Just had my call sheet out in front of me watching the game," Cousins said Wednesday from TCO Performance Center via videoconference. "Still trying to stay as engaged as I could."
His isolation lasted the minimum five days, from Friday's positive test through Tuesday, as set out by updated NFL protocols for players if symptoms improve. Vaccinated players — like right tackle Brian O'Neill, who returned Wednesday after two days on the COVID list — can test out sooner as long as they're asymptomatic. Under previous rules, Cousins would've been required to miss 10 days, including the Bears game, because he's unvaccinated. Safety Harrison Smith missed games against the Ravens and Chargers after testing positive under those former protocols.
But Zimmer expects Cousins and every starter available for the Vikings (7-9) to play against Chicago, with the coach saying he won't make any playing-time adjustments based on being eliminated from playoff contention. Zimmer said only "no" on Wednesday when asked if he'd consider playing rookies who hadn't seen the field much this season.
"It's really, for us, as important as any football game we have," said Cousins, who has thrown for 3,971 yards, 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 15 starts. "You only get so many opportunities. You want to always when you step in between the white lines, put a great product out there, and play hard for your teammates."
Cousins, 33, is under contract through next season. He replied he's "focused on the Bears" when asked about the possibility of that changing in the ever-evolving NFL.