Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins took the podium at the team's practice facility today, answering questions about his four days away from practice in quarantine and his opinions on the Covid-19 vaccine.
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"I don't have Covid; I have been feeling good, so very grateful for that," Cousins said.
The 32-year-old quarterback said that he has had six negative tests since he was last by teammate Kellen Mond, who tested positive for the virus.
Cousins shared that he was not considered a close contact for being close to Mond but instead forced to quarantine due to the size of the room that they were in for their quarterback's meeting.
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Cousins said he missed four practices for the first time in his career, and he was frustrated because he did not have Covid. However, he believes he did not have it because of the team's mitigation efforts, and now knowing the room they met in could put him at risk, the quarterbacks will relocate their meetings.
"If it means meeting outside under a goalpost in January, if that's what it takes to get to the playoffs and be in playoff games and win playoff games, then that's where we are gonna meet," he said.
While Cousins was at home, he did virtual meetings and training just like it was in 2020.
"It's become a new normal," Cousins shared when talking about the meetings and practice he took part in from home.
When it comes to being vaccinated, Cousins would not say whether or not he has received the shot.
"I think the vaccination matter is a private, very private, health matter for me, and I am going to keep it as such," Cousins said. "I do believe as the leader of the team, it is very important to follow the protocols to avoid this close contact because that is what it's going to come down to. Did you have a close contact?"
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Cousins shared that he is even considering putting plexiglass around himself in meetings so that he can not have a close contact force him to miss practices or even games.
"I will be very vigilant with the protocols," he said.
"Masks work, social distancing works, the 2020 season proved that," he said.
When asked if it has impacted his thinking, he said that he was considering everything and that he has been in contact with Coach Mike Zimmer who shared frustrations last week with unvaccinated players.
"We had a tremendous conversation last night, great dialogue," Cousins said.
When asked if things were fine between him and Zimmer, Cousins made it simple, "absolutely."
Cousins added that he believes protocols will work and that he will be doing everything he can to remain healthy and available for his team, which he called a "tight-knit group."
As for now, things will continue to be fluid, as Cousins pointed out multiple times, with the NFL constantly examining its protocols and what should be done to keep players and coaches safe.
"I'm at peace with where I am at, and I'll follow the protocols vigilantly," he said.
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