Shurmur positive for COVID-19, will likely miss game

Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday morning and he is likely to miss Sunday’s game against Philadelphia.

Shurmur is the fifth coach or player to test positive since last Sunday. Quarterback Drew Lock, cornerback Michael Ojemudia, inside linebacker Justin Strnad and guard/center Austin Schlottmann have tested positive.

All NFL coaches were required during the offseason to be vaccinated and coach Vic Fangio said each player who has tested positive, including guard Netane Muti (Oct. 26) and tight end Noah Fant (Nov. 2), were vaccinated.

Asked if Shurmur is definitely unavailable for the game, Fangio said: “Don’t know yet for sure, but we have to be prepared as if he won’t be available.”

Shurmur could be allowed to coach if he tests negative on Saturday and Sunday.

Quarterbacks coach Mike Shula and running backs coach Curtis Modkins have previous coordinator experience and offensive line coach Mike Munchak has head-coaching experience.

Fangio said the coaching staff would “share” the play-calling duties.

“I’m not going to make it known (what the plan is), but I know who it’s going to be,” Fangio said.

Fangio said Shula will relay the play call to quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

In last year’s playoffs, Cleveland coach/play-caller Kevin Stefanski tested positive and missed the Browns’ win at Pittsburgh. Last month, Arizona coach/play-caller Kliff Kingsbury tested positive and missed the Cardinals’ win at Cleveland.

Currently on the Broncos’ Covid-19/reserve list are Lock, Strnad and Ojemudia. Schlottmann also tested positive and was held out of practice Thursday and Friday. Muti (missed two games) and Fant (missed one game) are expected to be available to play Sunday.

The Broncos moved their positional meetings to the indoor fieldhouse this week to account for social distancing. At Sunday’s game, the Broncos are encouraging fans to wear masks throughout all indoor areas of the stadium regardless of vaccination status.

“It feels like last year again,” defensive end Dre’mont Jones said. “We got (back) to a routine of normality again like in 2019 and now we’re reverting back to the 2020 season.”

The Broncos ruled out left tackle Garett Bolles and right tackle Bobby Massie with ankle injuries. Bolles will miss his second consecutive game and be replaced by Calvin Anderson and Massie, injured against Dallas, will be replaced by Cam Fleming.

Inside linebacker Baron Browning (back) and cornerback Pat Surtain II (knee) were able to go through individual drills during the media viewing period and are listed as questionable to play.

Fangio said he feels “good,” about Browning playing, but reserved judgment on Surtain until he watched the practice video and met with the training staff.

Also listed as questionable: Running back Mike Boone (hip), tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (knee), safety Caden Sterns (shoulder), receiver Tim Patrick (knee), outside linebacker Malik Reed (hip), left guard Dalton Risner (foot) and defensive ends Shelby Harris (illness) and Mctelvin Agim (knee).