GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has tested positive for COVID-19 and won't play on Sunday, according to a report from NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero.
Sources: #Packers QB Aaron Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 and is out for Sunday’s game against the #Chiefs.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 3, 2021
The Packers will play the Chiefs on Sunday.
In a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that Rodgers will enter the COVID-19 protocol and said that Jordan Love will start Sunday's game in Kansas City.
Right now, Love is the Packers' only healthy quarterback. LaFleur said that the Packers are actively looking to bring in another QB.
"They are not going to postpone or cancel the game," LaFleur said. "We have a game to play."
"I think our guys will rally around Jordan," he continued. "We've got a lot of confidence in him and what a great opportunity for him to showcase what he can do."
When asked how ready Love is to start, LaFleur replied: "Well, we'll find out."
Meanwhile, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that Rodgers is not vaccinated, and that is the reason why he is reportedly missing the game on Sunday.
#Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is unvaccinated, per me and @MikeGarafolo. That’s why he’s out for Sunday vs. the #Chiefs.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 3, 2021
Rodgers said back in August that he had been immunized.
Here’s the video on August 26th when Aaron Rodgers was directly asked if he had been vaccinated pic.twitter.com/kskQDRpWi8
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) November 3, 2021
#Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was quoted as saying he’s been “immunized.” By the letter of the law in the NFL, that does not equal vaccinated. https://t.co/g5xyjDZ6uL
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 3, 2021
LaFleur said he is confident all COVID-19 protocols have been followed inside the Packers facility.
"In our building, absolutely," he said. " I watch what these guys do. I can only speak to our football space but absolutely. We've got cameras everywhere and I think our guys do an outstanding job with it."
Rodgers was scheduled to attend a Packers media briefing on Wednesday, but an updated calendar shows his slot now listed as TBD.
My understanding is that Aaron Rodgers has been following protocols for unvaccinated players while inside the building. https://t.co/g5xyjDZ6uL
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 3, 2021
Rodgers is not the first to be placed on the reserve COVID-19 list, but his reported absence may be the most felt. Davante Adams and Allen Lazard were both placed on the list and missed a game. So was defensive coordinator Joe Barry, who attended meetings virtually during his absence.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported quarterback Blake Bortles is traveling to Green Bay to sign with the Packers practice squad. He would then be eligible for the Packers roster on Sunday, Schefter says, citing a source. Bortles was on the Packers roster this summer before Rodgers returned.
#Packers practice squad QB Kurt Benkert tested positive earlier this week. Now reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers is positive, too. The only healthy QB on the roster is Jordan Love, who is in the building today and set to start against the #Chiefs.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 3, 2021
CDC says immunization = vaccination. If reports ring true, Rodgers did not equate the two, yet gave the media an affirmative response when asked if he was vaccinated. https://t.co/0itjMgFv3h
— Rachel Hopmayer (@rachelhopmayer) November 3, 2021
