Rodgers Tests Positive for COVID-19, Inactive Sunday

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Aaron Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday and has been ruled out for Sunday’s matchup against the Chiefs.

There are conflicting reports about whether Rodgers was vaccinated or not. Rodgers was asked on Aug. 26 whether he had been vaccinated, and he responded that he had been “immunized.”

He added, “There’s guys on the team that haven’t been vaccinated. I think it’s a personal decision. I’m not going to judge those guys.”

According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Rodgers is not vaccinated. This is why the NFL made a quick decision to rule him out from playing Sunday.

In the NFL, fully vaccinated players who test positive can still play that same week if they are asymptomatic and they can provide a negative test in consecutive days. However, unvaccinated players who test positive are required to isolate for 10 days and can then return if they’re asymptomatic.

Fans Express Concerns

Many fans are expressing their feelings about the developing situation.

“As a Packer fan, it would be frustrating for me to know he lied,” said Ryan Borchardt. “However, because it is his personal decision to be vaxxed or not, that’s not my place to judge Aaron. I will say I’m glad the NFL hasn’t forced a league-wide mandate vaccine requirement, because players should be able to decide if they want it or not.”

Another fan claims that it is a bigger issue than Rodgers.

“My opinion is that Rodgers told us he was immunized, and we all accepted that it was him saying he’s vaccinated,” said Chase Grabowski. “It’s a societal issue. We need to not just blindly accept people saying their immune as fact.”

It appears that Rodgers may have mislead the public by saying he had immunity, but he wasn’t necessarily vaccinated.

NFL COVID-19 Protocols

The NFL has COVID-19 protocols that include weekly testing for vaccinated players and daily testing for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated players. Unvaccinated players are required to wear face masks in all indoor settings and weight rooms. In addition, they are supposed to travel separately from vaccinated teammates, and they’re prohibited from gathering in public spaces with more than three people without personal protective equipment. Those who don’t follow the league protocols are subject to fines.

Rodgers was seen at a Halloween Party last weekend dressed as John Wick. He was in attendance with several teammates and was not wearing a mask.

The Packers have been hit hard by positive tests recently. They played without receivers Davante Adams and Allen Lazard, as well as their defensive coordinator, Joe Barry.

Matt LaFleur Speaks to Media

Packers Head Coach Matt Lafleur confirmed that Jordan Love, the Packers’ 2020 first round pick, will start Sunday in place of Rodgers. However, he refused to comment on Rodgers’ vaccination status.

“It’s a great challenge,” said LaFleur. “Nobody is going to feel sorry for us and we all have to prepare to the best of our ability to go down there and get a win.”

LaFleur says he is confident that the team is following all of the protocols in “our football space.”

In addition to Rodgers, third-string quarterback Kurt Benkert tested positive for COVID-19. Love is currently the only active quarterback for the Packers.

This will be Love’s first start in the NFL, and it will be a good test for him. With the expectation of Rodgers leaving Green Bay after this year, Love could be the starting quarterback next season.

Rodgers’ COVID-19 decision is personal, but as a high-profile athlete and leader, many look up to his actions. It is unknown if he will miss any additional games.