Former New York Jets offensive lineman Dakota Dozier has been hospitalized with COVID-19 complications
A Minnesota Vikings player was hospitalized Tuesday because he was having trouble breathing due to complications arising from COVID-19, head coach Mike Zimmer said on Wednesday.
According to ESPN, a source has confirmed the player is offensive guard and former New York Jets draft pick Dakota Dozier, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday despite being fully vaccinated.
Zimmer says Dozier is in stable condition now but remains hospitalized for the time being.
“It’s serious stuff, so, I don’t know,” Zimmer said. “Like 29 guys are getting tested because of close contact, including myself. Just do what we do.”
When asked whether Dozier’s reaction was in response to the booster shot or to COVID-19 itself, Zimmer said, “No, it was COVID. I’m not a doctor, but it was COVID pneumonia or something. He had a hard time breathing.”
This comes as an extremely rare instance of a vaccinated individual being hospitalized due to COVID-19. Thankfully, it sounds as though Dozier will be fine.
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John Idzik and the New York Jets selected Dozier in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played in 37 total games for Gang Green, starting seven times, all at right guard.
Dozier started all 16 games for the Vikings in 2020 but has spent 2021 on the practice squad.
