Bears See All 3 Coordinators Go on COVID-19 List

Bears See All 3 Coordinators Go on COVID-19 List
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) celebrates with teammates after catching a pall for a two-point conversion against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game in Houston, on Dec. 12, 2021. (Justin Rex/AP Photo)
The Associated Press
12/16/2021
Updated:
12/16/2021

The Chicago Bears were missing all three of their coordinators because of COVID-19 protocols as they prepared Thursday for Monday night’s home game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Bears coach Matt Nagy said offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, defensive coordinator Sean Desai and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor were participating remotely in meetings this week. Their status for the game is uncertain.

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy is seen before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, in Green Bay, Wis., on Dec. 12, 2021. (Aaron Gash/AP Photo)
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy is seen before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, in Green Bay, Wis., on Dec. 12, 2021. (Aaron Gash/AP Photo)

COVID-19 has hit the Bears hard this week, one of many teams experiencing positive tests. Approximately 100 players across the 32 teams have tested positive.

Chicago put five players on the COVID-19 reserve list since Monday and have six on it overall. And now the coordinators are in the protocol.

Players on the COVID-19 list are tackle Larry Borom, tackle Elijah Wilkinson, nose tackle Eddie Goldman, cornerback Artie Burns, defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr., and practice squad linebacker Sam Kamara.

As a result, along with other more conventional illnesses and injuries, Nagy decided to hold a walk-through practice on Wednesday rather than a full practice.

Nagy missed a game earlier this year against San Francisco, a 33-22 loss, because of COVID-19 issues, and Tabor coached the Bears.

Washington placed three more players on the COVID-19 list Thursday, following eight Wednesday. The team total is 21, including two players on injured reserve and two on the practice squad. Safety Sam Curl was the only starter added to the list, and was joined by centers Keith Ismael and Tyler Larsen.

Curl joins fellow defensive starters in lineman Jon Allen and cornerback Kendall Fuller on the list. Washington could be down to its fifth option at center because of coronavirus and injury problems.

By Barry Wilner