Eagles’ Pederson tests positive for virus
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson has tested positive for COVID-19.
The Eagles said they received confirmation Sunday evening that Pederson tested positive for the coronavirus and he would not be around the complex for the foreseeable future.
Assistant head coach Duce Staley will direct the Eagles until Pederson returns, per an organizational source.
The Eagles now are trying to identify and test every coach, player and club employee that Pederson has been around lately.
“Pederson is asymptomatic and doing well,” according to the statement furnished by the Eagles. “He is currently in self-quarantine and in communication with the team’s medical staff. The organization is following the protocols established by the NFL and the NFLPA.”
The statement also said individuals in close contact with Pederson at the team’s NovaCare Complex facility will be tested and must comply with all protocols before returning to work.
Pederson is the first known coach of a Philadelphia professional sports team to contract the coronavirus. He joins Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints as the only known COVID-19 cases among NFL head coaches.
To be reinstated, Pederson can return to NovaCare for testing in 10 days or try to test negative within five days of the most recent positive test. Two negative tests in a 48-hour window are required, according to the protocol.
Eagles offensive linemen Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, and linebacker Nathan Gerry all are on the Reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive. They’re under the same protocol guide as Pederson.
The COVID breakout in Major League Baseball has the attention of all professional athletes and coaches.
“We all know we have to be careful,” Staley said Friday. “That’s something that all coaches are talking to our players (about) and among ourselves, just to remind ourselves. Sometimes you get up to go get a coffee and you may forget your mask. Sometimes you go to the bathroom and you may forget your mask. We’re all reminding each other of how serious this is. We’re reminding the players. This is a different time for us. As a team we must make the adjustments so we can be successful down the road.”
It’s not known where Pederson contracted the virus. He recently said he felt “extremely safe” at the NovaCare Complex.
“When you’re here, when you get tested in the morning, you’ve got a screening process that you have to go through to get into the building,” Pederson said. “Wearing masks in the building and everywhere we go, I feel extremely safe. This is our bubble right here at NovaCare. I can’t control everything. We can’t control everything. There probably are going to be some things that come up down the road. But right now I feel extremely safe and this is a great environment for our players to succeed in.”
Ironically, Staley had echoed what Pederson said, explaining Friday that the team has a solid plan to deal with the virus within the complex on Pattison Ave.
“I’m pretty sure other coaches will tell you we feel 100 percent safe in the building,” Staley said. “Now, we understand everything that’s going on and how it can be contracted and all that, but we feel safe.”
Staley also said the Eagles have contingency plans if a coach becomes ill. He didn’t mention that he would be the guy who stepped up as head coach.