Minnesota Vikings guard Dru Samia tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, putting their offensive line depth into question ahead of Monday night’s game with the Chicago Bears. The news was first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
#Vikings OL Dru Samia tested positive for COVID-19, source said. Contact tracing being finalized and anyone deemed high risk won’t be allowed to travel for Monday’s game against the #Bears.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 15, 2020
The news of Samia’s test put the Vikings into protocol, which involves contract tracing to see who was around Samia prior to his positive test. The good news is that no other players were placed on the COVID-19 list although assistant offensive line coach Phil Rauscher will not travel with the team to Chicago.
DE Jordan Brailford (Personal), CB Cameron Dantzler (Concussion) and G Dru Samia (Illness) have been downgraded to OUT.
Additionally, Vikings assistant offensive line coach Phil Rauscher will also not travel to Chicago. pic.twitter.com/TbStsfZiQB
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 15, 2020
With no other linemen landing on the list, the Vikings dodged a bullet as players that are placed on the list are out for a minimum of five days, meaning they would not be eligible to play against the Bears. That would have put the Vikings’ offensive line depth into question as the Vikings waived Pat Elflein on Saturday morning.
Samia is the second Vikings player to test positive this season as linebacker Todd Davis tested positive prior to their Week 8 victory against Green Bay. No other players were placed on the list as a result of Davis’ positive test.
