5 Dolphins assistants out vs. Cardinals due to COVID-19 rules

Five Miami Dolphins position coaches will miss the Sunday game against the Arizona Cardinals due to coronavirus protocols, the team announced less than two hours before the scheduled kickoff.

Defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander, quarterbacks coach Robby Brown, outside linebackers coach Austin Clark, defensive line coach Marion Hobby and quality control coach Kolby Smith either tested positive for COVID-19 or came in contact with someone who did.

Maybe most notable among that group is the loss of Brown, as rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa makes his second career start.

On Friday, it was reported that one Miami assistant tested positive for COVID-19, but head coach Brian Flores said he was confident contract tracing would not change the Dolphins’ ability to travel and play at State Farm Stadium.

Flores has prepared for the loss of coaches amid the pandemic and others will be charged with stepping in, according to the Miami Herald’s Armando Salguero.

The Dolphins went through a walk-through Friday instead of a more strenuous practice, ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe added.

Their opponents, the Cardinals, were hit by the coronavirus during a Week 8 bye and will not have outside linebacker Devon Kennard and nickelback Byron Murphy available after placing them on the COVID-19 reserve list this week.

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