Kliff Kingsbury cleared to coach Sunday as Cardinals host Texans
Oct 24, 2021, 7:16 AM | Updated: 7:30 am
GLENDALE, ARIZONA: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Arizona Cardinals looks on from the sidelines during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury will return to the sidelines Sunday and coach against the Houston Texans after clearing COVID-19 protocols, according to the team’s senior vice president of media relations, Mark Dalton.
Kingsbury had been sidelined after testing positive for coronavirus the Friday, Oct. 1, before Arizona visited the Cleveland Browns for a Week 6 victory.
He required two negative COVID-19 tests in consecutive days to return.
Kingsbury has been away from the team but was involved in game-planning for a Week 7 game at State Farm Stadium against the Texans.
“Everything. Everything,” Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said when asked what Kingsbury has been able to do away from the team. “Obviously, the offensive game plan, and he’s obviously built that this week. There’s been a bunch of virtual meetings with offensive staff and the entire staff, obviously.
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“So nothing’s changed as far as who is building the game plan right now, and it’s Kliff. It’s his plan, and he has a lot of time right now to obviously be a scientist, so he’s enjoying that time. He misses the team, obviously, but he’s enjoying the time to study football.”
In Kingsbury’s place during the game in Cleveland last week, assistant head coach Jeff Rodgers and Joseph took on more leadership duties. With quarterbacks coach Cam Turner also sidelined due to COVID-19, Cardinals assistant receivers coach Spencer Whipple called in plays to quarterback Kyler Murray during the 37-14 win.
Kingsbury and Turner were among a handful of Cardinals who were put under protocols due to coronavirus. General manager Steve Keim, outside linebacker Chandler Jones, defensive end Zach Allen and defensive tackle Corey Peters also tested positive.
Jones was cleared from protocols Friday but not lifted off the COVID-19 reserve list for the game. The team wanted to make sure he is in good condition physically after the layoff.
Like Jones, Turner also returned to the team during the week.
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