I’ve got a lot of respect for him not only as a person but as a player,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur, who was Mannion’s offensive coordinator with the Rams in 2017. He is going to do exactly what the coaches tell him. Mannion started one game for the Los Angeles Rams in 2017 and one game for the Vikings in 2019, when Cousins was held out of the final regular-season game as a precaution prior to the playoffs. He’s earned this opportunity, and I think he’ll be ready,” coach Mike Zimmer said after practice on Friday. Rookie Kellen Mond, who was drafted in the third round, has not developed quickly enough this season to be considered. The Vikings activated backup quarterback Sean Mannion from the COVID-19 reserve list, putting the seventh-year veteran in line to start at frigid Lambeau Field on Sunday night. The Packers (12-3) are in control of the top seed and a first-round bye. The Vikings (7-8) are one game out of the last wild-card spot in the NFC with two weeks to go. The NFL recently reduced the required quarantine period to five days for asymptomatic players. Cousins, who is unvaccinated, couldn’t be cleared in time to play even if he were feeling fine.