Immunised Rodgers tests positive for COVID-19 amid reports he is unvaccinated

By Reuters November 4, 2021 â€" 10.34am

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Sunday’s (Monday AEDT) road game against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to multiple reports.

NFL Network reported Rodgers will sit out the game against the Chiefs because he is unvaccinated, which means he’s sidelined 10 days as a result of the positive test.

Aaron Rodgers will miss this weekend’s match against Kansas City.Credit:AP

Rodgers, however, said in August that he was “immunised” when asked about his vaccination status.

According to ESPN, Rodgers petitioned the NFL for his alternate treatment to be considered on par with the league’s approved vaccinations. The NFL, however, ruled against Rodgers’ request and considered him unvaccinated.

ESPN also reported Rodgers follows masking protocols while interacting with players and coaches during the week. The reigning league MVP, however, does not wear a mask during his weekly and post-game news conferences.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur sidestepped questions about Rodgers’ vaccination status on Wednesday.

“I’m not going to get into any of our players’ or coaches’ vaccination status,” LaFleur said.

When asked whether Rodgers’ use of the word “immunised” was misleading, LaFleur was quick with a response.

“That’s a great question for Aaron. I’m not going to comment on it,” he said.

Jordan Love, 23, jumps to the head of the line to make his first career NFL start in place of Rodgers.

“I said, ‘Hey, it’s a great challenge. Nobody is going to feel sorry for us,’” LaFleur said of the message to the team. “I think our guys will rally around Jordan. What a great opportunity for him.”

Green Bay is scheduled to host the Seattle Seahawks in week 10 (November 14). According to reports, Rodgers would first be able to return to the team November 13.

The Packers played without wide receiver Davante Adams and fellow wide receiver Allen Lazard last week due to COVID-19. Adams has yet to be cleared to return.

Rodgers overcame the absences to throw two touchdown passes in Green Bay’s 24-21 victory over the previously undefeated Arizona Cardinals. The Packers (7-1) have won seven in a row since a season-opening 38-3 shellacking by the New Orleans Saints on September 12.

Rodgers, 37, has thrown for 1894 yards with 17 touchdowns and three interceptions this season.

Rodgers’ entire 17-year career has been with the Packers. He has passed for 53,139 yards and 429 touchdowns, and he won a Super Bowl ring with the franchise at the end of the 2010 season.

Love has completed five of seven passes for 68 yards in limited work this season. That has been his lone regular-season action since the Packers selected him with the 26th overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft.

Despite Love’s limited game experience, LaFleur has confidence in the second-year quarterback.

“I know he’s been working hard every day,” LaFleur said of Love. “Certainly the majority of his reps have taken place on scout team. That’s something that ... during practice you take whatever’s on the card, put it into our terms to help with the process. He takes every rep seriously.”

Per ESPN, quarterback Blake Bortles is flying to Green Bay with the expectation that he will be signed to the Packers’ practice squad and be eligible for the 53-man roster on Sunday. Bortles was on the Packers’ roster during the summer prior to Rodgers reporting to the team.

Reuters

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