Kirk Cousins and Carson Wentz
As we head into a new year, COVID-19 is unfortunately still very much a thing.
Ahead of Sunday night’s match-up with the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins, who is not vaccinated, has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and will not be available.
The 7-8 Vikings need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, so they will turn to QB Sean Mannion to lead them to victory. Mannion was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list this past Sunday, but he was activated Friday.
Meanwhile, Indianapolis Colts QB Carson Wentz was placed on the list earlier this week, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler is reporting that the Colts are hoping he can be cleared in time for Sunday’s game against the Raiders. Wentz is also unvaccinated.
Lamar Jackson
Practicing is for the birds, or maybe not, as the Baltimore Ravens are hoping quarterback Lamar Jackson can play on Sunday, although he’s missed a number of practices. If Jackson can’t go, it will be Tyler Huntley under center.
Jackson injured his right ankle during Baltimore’s loss to Cleveland on Dec. 12, and had not practiced in two weeks, before returning Wednesday with what looked to be a significant limp.
The 8-7 Ravens have lost in four in a row and have dropped to No. 8 in the AFC playoff race. Since only seven teams go, eight is not a great spot to be in, especially since the Los Angeles Rams are coming to town with division-winning playoff dreams of their own.
Rajon Rondo to Cleveland
After losing Ricky Rubio to a torn ACL earlier this week, the Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired guard Rajon Rondo from the Los Angeles Lakers, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Shams Charania. The Lakers get guard Denzel Valentine in return.
Rondo, who has been averaging 3.1 points and 3.7 assists this season, has been in COVID-19 protocols since Sunday and will need to be cleared before heading to the Cavs.
ESPN Sources: The Cavaliers have agreed to trade Denzel Valentine to the Lakers to acquire Rajon Rondo. The Lakers are expected to waive Valentine’s partially-guaranteed deal and create an open roster spot.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 31, 2021
NBA Coaches and COVID-19
Los Angeles Clippers’ coach Tyronn Lue entered the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols on Friday, making him the 10th NBA coach to do so. Brian Shaw will be the acting coach for Friday’s game against the Toronto Raptors.
Currently, Doc Rivers (Philadelphia), Michael Malone (Denver), Monty Williams (Phoenix), Billy Donovan (Chicago), Chauncey Billups (Portland) and Mark Daigneault (Oklahoma City) are in the protocols. Lakers’ coach Frank Vogel was cleared to on Friday, while Sacramento’s Alvin Gentry and Indiana’s Rick Carlisle had already returned to their teams.
Who’s In and Who’s Out for NFL Week 17
- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (thumb) is doubtful to play against the Houston Texans on Sunday. If he is not able to go, rookie Trey Lance will make his second start.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without outside linebackers Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul for Sunday’s match-up with the New York Jets, but wide receiver Mike Evans has been activated from the reserve/COVI-19 list. Punter Bradley Pinion has been placed on the list.
- The Washington Football Team placed running back Antonio Gibson and left guard Ereck Flowers on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday. With both players being vaccinated, they have a chance to “test out” and be available for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Happy New Year, Fangirl Nation!