Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is away from team facilities after having been diagnosed with COVID-19, NFL Network reported Monday.
The Steelers would not confirm that but did say that coaches — including Tomlin — and other personnel were sent home last week after a couple of positive cases cropped up, per the report.
To that end, there’s no word on Tomlin’s condition or his symptoms.
–Field Level Media
The father of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady said both he and his wife contracted the coronavirus earlier this year, forcing Tom Brady Sr. to be hospitalized for three weeks.
Tom Brady Sr. told ESPN Radio on Monday that he and his wife, Galynn, were “sick as a dog.” The couple, both 76, missed the first two games of the younger Brady’s debut in Tampa, the first time they’ve ever missed a game.
“We’ve never missed a game at Michigan or New England or wherever,” Tom Brady Sr. told ESPN. “For the first two games when I was in the hospital, I didn’t even care if they were playing — much less missing the game. It was a matter of life and death, just like anybody who goes to the hospital. That’s serious stuff.”
The elder Brady said their bout with the virus “stressed out” their son.
“Tommy fought through it, and so now it’s in the rearview mirror,” he said. “We’re healthy, we’re happy and everything is good.”
–Field Level Media
Hall of Fame quarterback and NFL Network studio analyst Kurt Warner announced Friday that he tested positive for COVID-19.
“… Bummed I won’t be in studio w/my guys on NFL Gameday Morning bc I have recently tested positive for Covid… I’m doing well, going through protocols & hope to be back in studio next weekend!” Warner posted on Twitter.
Warner joined NFL Network in 2010 following his 12-year NFL career. The two-time MVP and Super Bowl XXXIV winner was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
–Field Level Media
The College Football Playoff championship game between Ohio State and Alabama set for Monday could get pushed back a week due to COVID-19 issues within the Buckeyes’ program, AL.com reported Tuesday.
The Buckeyes have communicated that they could be without a position group due to testing and COVID-19 protocols, per the report.
Jan. 18 has already been scheduled as a makeup date for the title game if it were postponed.
However, multiple news outlets reported that as of Tuesday afternoon, Ohio State is planning to play as scheduled on Jan. 11.
“We’re following the same protocols we followed all season long,” said Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith, per ESPN. “We intend to play on January 11th, and we continue to communicate with the Big Ten and now the CFP, so at this point in time, we see the game being played. But who knows what tomorrow will bring? That’s COVID. We’re on track right now.”
“I can tell you there are no changes,” College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock told ESPN on Tuesday. “The game is scheduled for January 11th as planned and we look forward to it.”
The game will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The Buckeyes were without 22 players in the Big Ten championship game and 16 in the CFP semifinal game against Clemson due to COVID-19 issues.
–Field Level Media
NFL referee Clay Martin has been released from the hospital after a bout with COVID-19, KJRH Tulsa reported Monday night.
Martin, 45, was originally pulled from officiating the Pittsburgh-Cincinnati game on Dec. 21 and was reportedly asymptomatic. But he was admitted to Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa on Dec. 31.
Martin told KJRH that he’s “very thankful” to be home.
Adrian Hill replaced Martin on Sunday, the third game Martin has missed.
Martin has been an NFL official since 2015, serving the past three seasons as referee.
–Field Level Media
NFL referee Clay Martin has been hospitalized with COVID-19, his family told the Tulsa World on Saturday.
Martin, 45, was originally pulled from officiating the Pittsburgh-Cincinnati game on Dec. 21 and was reportedly asymptomatic. He has been in quarantine at his home near Tulsa, Okla., since.
“Our family is very appreciative of all the heartwarming messages that we’re receiving. Clay is receiving medical attention at St. Francis. Our family will continue to find peace in our faith, each other and many, many people who we are blessed to call friends,” Martin’s family said in a statement to the Tulsa World.
Adrian Hill will replace Martin on Sunday, the third game Martin has missed.
Martin has been an NFL official since 2015, serving the past three seasons as referee.
Martin is also a high school basketball coach in the Tulsa suburb of Jenks.
–Field Level Media
Tony Romo will not call Sunday’s game between the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams for CBS because of COVID-19 protocols, the network said on Saturday.
Romo will be replaced by Boomer Esiason, who will call the game alongside lead announcer Jim Nantz and reporter Tracy Wolfson for the Week 17 game scheduled for 4:25 p.m.
It is unclear if Romo tested positive for coronavirus or had been in close contact with someone who has. Numerous networks have allowed broadcasters to call games from their homes during the pandemic. However, CBS said it was uncertain if it could have all of the necessary equipment set up in Romo’s home in time for the game.
Romo, 40, is the highest-paid NFL analyst, as the former Cowboys quarterback signed a 10-year, $180 million contract with the network in February.
–Field Level Media
The Cleveland Browns placed defensive back Kevin Johnson on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday, meaning he won’t play in the team’s crucial game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
Johnson was slated to start in place of Denzel Ward after Ward was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week.
Johnson is among six Browns who will be out on Sunday due to COVID-19, joining Ward, linebackers B.J. Goodson and Malcolm Smith, safety Andrew Sendejo and tight end Harrison Bryant.
The Browns (10-5) clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Steelers (12-3). They would also clinch a spot with a Colts loss, or a Titans loss plus wins/ties from the Dolphins and Ravens.
Johnson, who has 35 tackles and a forced fumble this season, will likely be replaced by rookie A.J. Green, who the Browns promoted from the practice squad Saturday.
Green appeared in one game this season, a Week 3 win over the Washington Football Team.
–Field Level Media
The Arizona Cardinals placed receiver Christian Kirk on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday, knocking him out of the team’s must-win game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday to earn an NFC wild-card spot.
Kirk, who has 48 receptions for 621 yards and six touchdowns this season, is the eighth Cardinal to be placed on the list this season.
His absence hinders the team’s offense, as wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is listed as questionable with a groin injury, as are running back Chase Edmonds (hip) and tight end Maxx Williams (ankle). Receiver DeAndre Hopkins (hip) practiced fully on Friday after being limited on Thursday.
In Kirk’s absence, the Cardinals will be counting on increased production from receivers KeeSean Johnson and Andy Isabella, who is expected to be active for the first time since Fitzgerald returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list three games ago.
–Field Level Media
The Cleveland Browns will work remotely for the third time in four days after closing their training facility on Saturday due to a coach testing positive for COVID-19.
The name of the coach was not released, but the Browns had already announced on Friday that Callie Brownson would replace Chad O’Shea as wide receivers coach on Sunday.
The facility was open on Friday after being closed the previous two days, which led the Browns to cancel Thursday’s practice after consecutive days of positive results.
Star cornerback Denzel Ward was put on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday along with linebacker Malcolm Smith. Tight end Harrison Bryant and safety Andrew Sendejo were put on the list earlier this week. Linebacker B.J. Goodson has been on the list since last Saturday. All tested positive, per reports.
It’s the latest COVID-19 issue to face the Browns (10-5), who can clinch their first playoff berth since 2002 with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in their regular-season finale on Sunday. Even with a loss, the Browns can make the postseason, dependent on the outcome of other games.
Last Sunday, in a 23-16 loss to the New York Jets, the Browns played without most of their wide receivers, who were forced to sit out of the game because of contact tracing. However, the group — leading receiver Jarvis Landry (789 yards) plus Rashard Higgins, rookie Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge — was activated off the reserve list on Thursday along with linebacker Jacob Phillips.
–Field Level Media