Quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers warms up ahead of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, U.S., October 28, 2021. /CFP
Aaron Rodgers, reigning NFL MVP and starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, tested positive for COVID-19 and will not play in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, according to ESPN.
Rodgers and his teammate cornerback Isaac Yiadom were both put on the league's reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday. NFL Network and ESPN revealed that Rodgers has remained unvaccinated since the start of the season. That means, according to NFL COVID-19 protocols, the 37-year-old veteran will be quarantined for at least 10 days.
The league said it would look into how the Packers followed the COVID-19 protocols.
"The primary responsibility for enforcement of the COVID protocols within club facilities rests with each club. Failure to properly enforce the protocols has resulted in discipline being assessed against individual clubs in the past," said NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy in a statement.
Quarterback Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers warms up ahead of the game against the Washington Football Team at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S., October 24, 2021. /CFP
"I'm not going to comment on it," said Packers head coach Matt LaFleur on Wednesday.
When asked if he was inoculated back in August, Rodgers was very vague with his answer, saying he's "immunized." Having started all eight games for the team so far this season, he has completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 17 touchdowns and three interceptions. His performance has not been as excellent as it was last season when he was named the MVP, but good enough to put the Packers in the leading position of the National Football Conference North with a 7-1 record.
Jordan Love will make his debut start for the team at Arrowhead Stadium against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Love played his first NFL game in the Packers' season-opening loss to the New Orleans Saints (38-3). He went 5-7 for 68 yards with no TD or interception.