Bevell won’t be able to coach Lions
Detroit Lions interim coach Darrell Bevell is the NFL’s first head coach to miss a game because of COVID-19 protocols even though he has not tested positive for the coronavirus.
“It’s kind of the times that we’re living in right now,” Bevell lamented.
The Lions (5-9) also will be without defensive coordinator Cory Undlin, defensive line coach Bo Davis, defensive backs coach Steve Gregory and linebackers coach Ty McKenzie against Tampa Bay (9-5) on Saturday.
Wide receivers coach Robert Prince will be Detroit’s third head coach this season at Ford Field against the Buccaneers, who are a win away from clinching a postseason berth. Bevell was 1-2 after Matt Patricia was fired last month.
The Lions will lean on two men to call plays for the first time in an NFL game.
Quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan will replace Bevell, who also serves as the team’s offensive coordinator. Evan Rothstein, who helps the team with research and analysis, will calls plays on defense.
The 50-year-old Bevell, who became an offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings in 2006, said he’ll never forget the emotions from his first game as a play-caller in the league.
“First, you’re super excited,” he recalled. “And then all the sudden you’re like, ‘Wait a minute. I’m calling plays in an NFL game. I haven’t done this before.’ ”
Bevell, who was the quarterback at Wisconsin from 1992-95, said he had not tested positive for COVID-19, but he was one of the coaches affected by contact tracing.
Kittle to be activated: The San Francisco 49ers will activate tight end George Kittle from injured reserve, clearing the path for him to play Saturday for the first time since he fractured his foot in a Nov. 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
“He looked great this week,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Just talked to him, he said he felt good here after practice so I’m expecting him to go.”
Kittle missed the past six games because of that foot fracture as the Niners fell out of postseason contention, going 1-5 without him. He also missed two games with a knee injury sustained in Week 1 earlier this season.
Despite the 49ers not being in the playoff picture, Shanahan explained why he still believes Kittle should play this week.
“He’s probably one of the healthiest guys we have right now,” Shanahan said.
More problems for Browns’ offensive line: Cleveland Browns starting left tackle Jedrick Wills was placed on the COVID-19 list, the newest issue for Cleveland’s offensive line.
The move comes with the Browns preparing to face the New York Jets on Sunday while chasing a playoff spot. Coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t provide details but also wouldn’t rule out Wills from playing this week. If the rookie is sidelined, Kendall Lamm will start.
A first-round pick from Alabama, Wills has played well in his first NFL season. He played right tackle for the Crimson Tide, but the Browns slid him to the other side.
Wills’ situation complicates things for the Browns up front. They’re already without starting right guard Wyatt Teller, who will miss his second straight game with a sprained ankle. Rookie guard Nick Harris will start in Teller’s spot.
On Sunday against the Giants, offensive lineman Chris Hubbard sustained a season-ending knee injury.