Vikings guard Dru Samia tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday morning, according to a league source, before the team was scheduled to depart for Chicago.
Samia is the second Vikings player to test positive for the virus in the past two weeks. He will not be available for Monday night’s game against the Bears. Any close contacts deemed “high-risk” by the league and team will be quarantined and cannot travel for Monday night’s game.
Linebacker Todd Davis returned from the COVID-19 reserve list this week after a positive test led to 10 days in quarantine. Symptomatic cases require at least a 10-day isolation, according to NFL protocols, while asymptomatic cases can return as early as five days. Cornerback Cameron Dantzler and long snapper Austin Cutting have isolated in recent weeks because they were close contacts with an infected individual.
The Vikings may need to turn to center/guard Brett Jones for offensive line help, but they’ll have to sign him to the 53-man roster. NFL rules prohibit the Vikings from elevating him from the practice squad for a third straight game. Aviante Collins is also an option on the practice squad.
The Vikings cut guard Pat Elflein on Friday, with coach Mike Zimmer saying, “we just felt like we had some better options.” Elflein, the former third-round pick, was unable to practice consistently in his attempted return from injured reserve this season.
Samia, the 2019 fourth-round pick, struggled through four starts at right guard for Elflein, who underwent thumb surgery in September, and was replaced by rookie Ezra Cleveland.
Samia is the second Vikings player to test positive for the virus in the past two weeks. He will not be available for Monday night’s game against the Bears. Any close contacts deemed “high-risk” by the league and team will be quarantined and cannot travel for Monday night’s game.
Linebacker Todd Davis returned from the COVID-19 reserve list this week after a positive test led to 10 days in quarantine. Symptomatic cases require at least a 10-day isolation, according to NFL protocols, while asymptomatic cases can return as early as five days. Cornerback Cameron Dantzler and long snapper Austin Cutting have isolated in recent weeks because they were close contacts with an infected individual.
The Vikings may need to turn to center/guard Brett Jones for offensive line help, but they’ll have to sign him to the 53-man roster. NFL rules prohibit the Vikings from elevating him from the practice squad for a third straight game. Aviante Collins is also an option on the practice squad.
The Vikings cut guard Pat Elflein on Friday, with coach Mike Zimmer saying, “we just felt like we had some better options.” Elflein, the former third-round pick, was unable to practice consistently in his attempted return from injured reserve this season.
Samia, the 2019 fourth-round pick, struggled through four starts at right guard for Elflein, who underwent thumb surgery in September, and was replaced by rookie Ezra Cleveland.
