5 assistant coaches test positive for COVID-19

Ernie Ekim 22, 2021

Five assistant coaches of the New Orleans Saints tested positive for COVID-19, NFL Media and ESPN reported Tuesday.

Saints coach Sean Payton said before the season that the entire coaching staff had been vaccinated.

NFL policy states that the team will be in mitigation protocol in the aftermath of positive tests. This protocol is where daily testing of all level 1 and 2 level players and personnel is required regardless of vaccination status. Under normal NFL COVID-19 protocols, vaccinated players are only tested weekly.

There is also mandatory masking inside for all players and all level 1 and 2 staff, regardless of vaccination status, with the team eating take-away meals at the team facility.

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23 August 2018; Costa Mesa, CA, USA: Detailed view of the New Orleans Saints' helmets during joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers at Jack. R. Hammett Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints are practicing in Texas as they wait to return to New Orleans after Hurricane Ida. New Orleans beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday 38-3 in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Saints will play at the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.