Vikings lineman Dakota Dozier was hospitalized November 9, 2021 due to a breakthrough infection of COVID-19. Five players have been isolated on the team’s COVID list. Coach Mike Zimmer said 29 people were identified as close contacts and are being retested daily.
Dozier is the second of at least three positive cases among players on the Vikings team since last week. Linebacker Ryan Connelly and tackle Timon Parris, were isolated on November 8, 2021, joining safety Harrison Smith, center Garrett Bradbury and Dozier on the COVID list.
When a reporter asked if Dozier’s hospitalization was due to receiving a vaccine or to the virus itself, coach Zimmer confirmed the player had a COVID-19 infection and was experiencing difficulty breathing at the time he was admitted to the ER. “I’m not a doctor, but it was, like, COVID pneumonia or something. He had a hard time breathing,” Zimmer said.
According to the NFL, vaccinated players are tested for the virus once every week but have the option of being tested more often, while unvaccinated players are expected to get a COVID-19 test every day. Individuals who are identified as close contacts with someone who tested positive for the virus are also expected to be tested every day “as appropriate,” according to the league’s guidelines.