Inside The Vikings

Vikings LB Todd Davis Tests Positive for COVID-19

The Vikings will be down a starting linebacker for their game against the Packers this weekend.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings LB Todd Davis Tests Positive for COVID-19
Vikings LB Todd Davis Tests Positive for COVID-19

Vikings linebacker Todd Davis has tested positive for COVID-19, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first to report that the Vikings had a player test positive for the coronavirus.

Tomasson's tweet says that rookie linebacker Troy Dye will replace Davis as the Vikings' third linebacker when they're in base defense. Dye, who has been out since Week 2 with a foot injury, has been designated for activation from injured reserve but has not been actually activated yet. Presumably that's coming later today or tomorrow if he's playing on Sunday.

Davis becomes the second Vikings player added to the Reserve/COVID-19 list this week, joining rookie cornerback Cameron Dantzler. It's unclear whether or not Dantzler tested positive or was exposed to the virus.

It's also unclear if, or how, Davis testing positive will affect the Vikings. The team will use contract tracing to see who has been in close proximity with him recently, and everyone involved in practices will continue to be tested daily as usual. For now, it doesn't appear that this will affect the Vikings' game in Green Bay at noon central time on Sunday.

Davis signed with the Vikings in September after Anthony Barr went down with a season-ending injury. The veteran had spent the previous six seasons with the Denver Broncos.

Davis had seen his role with the Vikings gradually increase over time. He played one defensive snap in Week 3, then eight in Week 4, then 11 in Week 5, and then a season-high 30 in the Vikings' last game against the Falcons.

Assuming Dye is activated and the game goes on as scheduled, the Vikings' five linebackers will be Eric Kendricks, Eric Wilson, Dye, Hardy Nickerson Jr., and Ryan Connelly.

This story will be updated with any additional details that may come out.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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