Arizona Cardinals’ Jeff Rodgers, 2 other coaches in COVID-19 protocols
Nov 5, 2021, 1:51 PM
Arizona Cardinals Special Teams Coordinator Jeff Rodgers looks on during the NFL football Game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bengals on October 6, 2019, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers, running backs coach James Saxon and assistant offensive line coach Brian Natkin were placed under COVID-19 protocols on Friday, the team announced.
The trio will miss the Cardinals’ Week 9 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Handling most of Rodgers’ special teams duties on Sunday will be assistant special teams coach Devin Fitzsimmons. Saxon’s and Natkin’s responsibilities will be split among other members of the offensive coaching staff.
Friday’s news comes after wide receiver A.J. Green and tight end Demetrius Harris were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday.
It also marks the second round of Cardinals coaches to be forced out of a game this year due to COVID-19.
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Head coach Kliff Kingsbury and quarterbacks coach Cam Turner, along with linebacker Chandler Jones and defensive linemen Zach Allen and Corey Peters, were absent in the team’s win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 6.
Outside of the those under COVID-19 protocols, Arizona is already down defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence for Week 9’s tilt against San Francisco after suffering a setback this week with his calf injury.
The Cardinals could also be without quarterback Kyler Murray (ankle), wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) and center Max Garcia (Achilles), who enter the contest listed as questionable.
The Cardinals travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers at 2:25 p.m. on Sunday. Tune to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station for all the action.
