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Bears head coach Matt Nagy tests positive for COVID-19, joining 4 players on list

Days after announcing members of his Chicago Bears roster were put on the COVID-19 list, head coach Matt Nagy said Monday he has tested positive for the coronavirus as well.

Nagy said he is fully vaccinated, feeling good and will work remotely while in quarantine. He conducted his weekly availability with reporters via Zoom on Monday after getting the call from team athletic trainers. There are no more positive tests as of Monday morning, he said.

Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor will run full-team meetings with Nagy physically away from the team. Nagy will be required to test negative twice 24 hours apart to return to the Bears.

The Bears (3-4) are slated to host the San Francisco 49ers (2-4) on Sunday.

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy said he tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy said he tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Bears' COVID-19 list grows

The Bears are dealing with multiple members on the reserve/COVID-19 list, raising questions about protocols. Four players were placed on the list ahead of their Week 7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs steamrolled them, 38-3, while Tom Brady established a new club in NFL history.

Right tackle Elijah Wilkinson and linebacker Caleb Johnson were placed on it Sunday, joining tight end Jimmy Graham and outside linebacker Robert Quinn. Running back Damien Williams was activated on Saturday after missing one game.

The roster designation is for players who either test positive or are deemed close contacts with someone who has tested positive. Fully vaccinated individuals are not deemed high-risk close contacts in the protocols. All NFL coaches are required to be vaccinated.

NFL coaches and COVID-19

Nagy joins a list of coaches who have tested positive for COVID-19 and missed games. Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury was cleared Sunday morning after having to sit out Week 6. In Tampa, Richard Sherman helped coach the cornerbacks while assistant Kevin Ross was out.

Most are breakthrough cases as approximately 33% of the U.S. population over 12 years old remains unvaccinated, per The New York Times.