Minnesota Vikings Player Hospitalized With Breathing Difficulties Ahead of Week Eleven

Minnesota Vikings have reportedly hospitalized a player with serious COVID-19 symptoms. Head coach Mike Zimmer later confirmed that the player went to the emergency room because of shortness of breath on Tuesday night. Although the situation is reported to be “stable now” on Wednesday, but at the time it “was scary” for the coach to deal with.

Zimmer, earlier, refused to declare the name of the player, but the player is reported to be Dakota Dozier, who is vaccinated, according to NFL.com. And along with that, the Vikings have been struck with great adversity as it has affected the whole franchise.

Mike Zimmer on the Vikings spike in cases

“One of our players that was vaccinated, he had to go to the ER last night because of COVID. It’s serious stuff,” coach Mike Zimmer told reporters Wednesday. “Like 29 guys are getting tested because of close contact, including myself.”

The team had already listed three of its players, which are center Garrett Bradbury, guard Dakota Dozier and safety Harrison Smith in the Injury/COVID-19 reserve last Thursday. Following which the team placed two additional players which are linebacker Ryan Connelly and practice squad tackle, Timon Parris, on that list Monday.

Minnesota Vikings threatened by the virus

Incidentally, Zimmer revealed that 20 of the team members who were close contacts will get tested for COVID-19. Although vaccinated individuals who were termed as close contacts to their peers do not have to go into quarantine immediately, according to the NFL protocols. They have to quarantine themselves only if they are tested positive.

Zimmer was deeply concerned before the start of the season when he lost three of his four quarterbacks to the virus. Although the starter Kirk Cousins remains one of the most highlighted unvaccinated players in the league.

Vikings owner Mark Wilf in August reflected his “concern” on the health of his players, yet the franchise was reported to have the lowest vaccination rate in the NFL. However, a few weeks later, the team brought in infectious disease experts to persuade players to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

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