| Detroit Free Press
Detroit The Lions are already in their second coach of the NFL season and, according to the NFL Network, may soon need a third.
The network reported on Wednesday that interim head coach Darrell Bevell and “almost all” of the Lions defensive staff are considered close contacts with a positive COVID-19 and their availability for Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is uncertain.
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The Lions reported two positive COVID-19 tests on Tuesday, coach Anthony Pittman and an unnamed staff member. The team announced on Wednesday morning that there will be no new positive tests, but that more coaches will stay away from the team’s facility until further notice due to follow-up contacts.
The team did not say which coaches would be isolated, but that the Lions “anticipate to practice outdoors this afternoon and our players and coaches will meet practically this morning.”
The Lions worked remotely on Tuesday, after canceling their training.
Along with the COVID positives, a league source told the Free Press late Tuesday that one Lions defensive assistant was determined not to wear his contact tracking device at all times, and another had a personal meeting in his office.
Under intensive NFL protocols, personal contact outside of practice is limited.
The NFL network reported that COVID cases of lions come from travel. The Lions played the Tennessee Titans last week in Nashville, which has one of the highest COVID positive rates in the country.
At the team’s hotel, players and coaches were seen passing through the public lobby of their team’s hotel after meetings and on the way to the buses before leaving for the game.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Saturday’s game remains active as scheduled.
Bevell is scheduled to speak to the media at 11 a.m.