Chicago Sun-Times

Aaron regrets virus lie

Jets quarterbac­k Aaron Rodgers says in a soon-to-be published book that he should have handled discussing his COVID-19 immunizati­on status differentl­y.

Rodgers was playing for the Packers in 2021 when he told reporters covering the team he was ‘‘immunized’’ against the virus before testing positive for it three months later and being sidelined for 10 days.

Rodgers unsuccessf­ully appealed to the league that his homeopathi­c treatment regimen should qualify him as vaccinated and was widely criticized for not being truthful about his status.

‘‘If there’s one thing I wish could have gone different, it’s that, because that’s the only thing [critics] could hit me with,’’ ESPN reported Rodgers told author Ian O’Connor for the book ‘‘Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers,’’ which goes on sale next week.

According to ESPN, Rodgers says in the book his main reason for claiming he was ‘‘immunized’’ was the statement represente­d ‘‘the crux of my appeal.’’

Rodgers said at the time he was allergic to an ingredient in the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines — polyethyle­ne glycol — and was concerned about potential adverse reactions to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

‘‘But if I could do it again, I would have said: ‘[Bleep] the appeal. I’m just going to tell them I’m allergic to PEG],’ ’’ Rodgers says in the book. ‘‘‘I’m not getting Johnson & Johnson. I’m not going to be vaxxed.’ ’’

Quarterbac­k news

Vikings rookie quarterbac­k J.J. McCarthy reported soreness in his right knee and was held out of practice for further examinatio­n.

Coach Kevin O’Connell said he didn’t have any reason to believe it was anything beyond routine soreness, but he said he wasn’t sure yet whether McCarthy would travel with the team this week for joint practices Wednesday and Thursday and a preseason game Saturday against the Browns.

McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in the draft in April, was 11-for-17 for 188 yards with two touchdowns and an intercepti­on in his preseason debut Saturday against the Raiders.

♦ Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said quarterbac­k Deshaun Watson, who hasn’t played in a game since breaking his shoulder in November against the Ravens, is scheduled to play in their preseason finale Aug. 24 against the Seahawks.

♦ The Lions signed journeyman quarterbac­k Jake Fromm, adding depth behind starter Jared Goff and backup Nate Sudfeld after Hendon Hooker suffered a concussion in the team’s preseason opener Thursday against the Giants.

Reddick-Jets standoff nasty

The Jets’ contract standoff with edge rusher Haason Reddick took an ugly turn when Reddick officially requested a trade, only to be publicly rebuffed by general manager Joe Douglas.

Reddick, who is unhappy with the non-guaranteed $14.25 million in base pay he will make in the last year of his contract, has missed 21 days of training camp, incurring a mandatory fine of $50,000 per day.

‘‘We have informed Haason that we will not trade him, that he is expected to be here with his teammates and that he will continue to be fined per the [collective-bargaining agreement] if he does not report,’’ Douglas said in a statement.

Giants won’t rush Nabers

Giants coach Brian Daboll said rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, the No. 6 overall pick in the draft in April, will get all the time he needs to recover from the sprained left ankle he suffered while running a route in practice Sunday.

Daboll wouldn’t speculate about whether Nabers would play in the Giants’ preseason game Saturday against the Texans.