Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Bears' Robert Quinn positive for COVID-19

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 10/19/21

The Chicago Bears fell to the rival Green Bay Packers 24-14 this past Sunday to drop to 3-3 on the season and then experienced a different type of setback on Tuesday.

According to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN, Bears star pass-rusher and two-time Pro Bowl selection Robert Quinn was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday. ESPN's Field Yates reports Quinn tested positive for the coronavirus.

Per league rules, Quinn could be cleared to return to team activities if he's vaccinated against COVID-19, is asymptomatic, and can produce a pair of negative virus tests 24 hours apart. If the 31-year-old has symptoms, though, he must return the pair of negative virus tests but also be asymptomatic for 48 hours to be cleared.

Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times adds:

Robert Quinn appears to be vaccinated based on not wearing a mask at press conferences, which would put him in a more favorable return-to-play protocol. If he tested positive, he'd need to test negative twice (24 hours apart) before Sunday to play vs. Bucs. https://t.co/98jeNKU9CI
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) October 19, 2021

As noted by ESPN stats, Quinn is ninth in the NFL with 5.5 sacks, 2.5 behind the pace set by league-leader and Cleveland Browns All-Pro Myles Garrett (8.0). Quinn also has a forced fumble, 19 total tackles, and seven quarterback hits.

Khalil Mack, Quinn's Chicago teammate, is tied for sixth in the league with six sacks.

Quinn's status for this coming Sunday's matchup at the 5-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers won't be confirmed until later in the week.

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