Cardinals’ Devon Kennard, Byron Murphy placed on COVID-19 reserve
Nov 2, 2020, 3:20 PM | Updated: 5:14 pm
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles as Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Devon Kennard (42) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Two Arizona Cardinals players tested positive for coronavirus this weekend, head coach Kliff Kingsbury and the team confirmed Monday morning.
Defensive back Byron Murphy and outside linebacker Devon Kennard were placed on the injured reserve/COVID-19 list later in the afternoon.
Kennard said via Twitter earlier in the day that he was one of the players who tested positive. He is asymptomatic.
I learned that like many others, I have tested positive for Covid 19. Thankfully, I feel completely normal so far. Please keep my family & I in your prayers as we navigate this. I look forward to being back on the field w/my teammates as soon as I am cleared & it’s safe to do so!
— DK (@DevonKennard) November 2, 2020
With the team on a bye week, the practice facility was closed Sunday for a deep cleaning.
The Cardinals planned to practice as scheduled Monday after all of their Sunday coronavirus tests came back negative, Kingsbury said early Monday morning.
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“Luckily, the contact tracing was limited and yesterday’s test results were all negative,” Kingsbury said.
Kennard played two weeks ago in Arizona’s 37-34 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks.
His absence would further test the depth of the position with All-Pro Chandler Jones out for the year due to a biceps injury. Haason Reddick, newcomer Markus Golden and backups Kylie Fitts and Dennis Gardeck fill out the depth chart at outside linebacker.
Of course, plans could always change with lagging signs of COVID-19, but as of early Monday there was optimism that two positives tests found would not severely impact Arizona’s roster or the team’s ability to prepare for a Sunday home game against the Miami Dolphins.
Arizona players were required to remain in the Phoenix area through the bye week for regular daily testing.
The cases are the second known instance of coronavirus impacting Arizona’s roster. The team placed wide receiver KeeSean Johnson on the COVID-19/reserve list in September.
The team did not report whether Johnson tested positive for coronavirus at that time or whether he was in close contact with a person who was infected.
Kennard and Murphy join Johnson as the only Cardinals players to have been on the COVID-19/reserve list so far this season.
