Vikings' Kirk Cousins, Nate Stanley expected to return Thursday from COVID-19 list

The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly responsible for the NFL's lowest COVID-19 vaccination rate among players and recently placed three quarterbacks on the reserve/COVID-19 list. 

According to Courtney Cronin of ESPN, Minnesota starting signal-caller Kirk Cousins and backup Nate Stanley are expected to return to practice Thursday after spending five full days on the COVID-19 list. Both were deemed high-risk close contacts when rookie quarterback Kellen Mond tested positive for the coronavirus. 

Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer would not say when Mond, who must miss at least 10 days per the league's protocols, may be back at practice. 

Vikings cornerback and eight-time Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson has campaigned for more of his teammates to get their COVID-19 vaccine shots amid reports that only 64.5% of Minnesota players are fully vaccinated. Both Zimmer and club owner Mark Wilf have expressed concerns and frustrations over players refusing to receive one of the available and safe vaccines. 

To compare, at least 27 NFL teams have reached the 85% vaccination threshold among players. The league is threatening to make teams forfeit if they can't play during a week this season because of a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated personnel, and it also said it can withhold game checks for matchups not completed due to coronavirus-related issues. Unvaccinated players can be fined $14,650 each time they violate any COVID-19 protocols.