Chargers’ Lynn reveals he had coronavirus
It didn’t take long for “Hard Knocks: Los Angeles” to reveal its first major surprise of the season as Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said he had coronavirus during the offseason.
Lynn’s admission came less than five minutes into Tuesday’s season premiere of the show on HBO and produced by NFL Films. He was answering questions about protocols put in place during a videoconference call with his players.
“I can’t promise you you’re not going to get infected. I got infected,” said Lynn, who has recovered from the virus.
Lynn’s experience set the tone for the hour-long show in which the theme was how the Chargers and Rams were taking steps to protect players. The episode also showed the testing procedure for players, which include nasal swab and blood antibody tests.
Lynn — who is in his fourth season as Chargers coach — said in a conversation with team psychologist Dr. Herb Martin that he had a slight cough and body aches. He didn’t decide to get tested until watching a golf tournament when one of the competitors had to withdraw after testing positive. That golfer had symptoms similar to Lynn’s.
“I never even would have known it and probably got other people infected,” Lynn said.
The episode later showed Rams rookie linebacker Terrell Lewis self quarantining and talking to teammates via videoconference after testing positive. UNION, LEAGUE AGREE TO
DAILY COVID-19 TESTING THROUGH SEPT. 5 >> NFL players can expect daily COVID-19 testing through Sept. 5, the players’ union said ahead of the season kickoff next month.
The league has conducted 109,075 COVID-19 tests among players, staff and coaches since the start of training camps through Tuesday, NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills told reporters on Wednesday, with an overall positive rate 0.46% and a positive rate among players of 0.81%.
DALLAS WILL PLAY BEFORE
FANS, WASHINGTON WON’T >> The owners of NFL East rivals Dallas and Washington are taking different approaches when it comes to opening the stadium gates this season.
On Wednesday, Jerry Jones told reporters that his Cowboys will have fans in the stands at AT&T Stadium in 2020. His remarks came after the Washington Football Team released a statement indicating their home games will be played with empty seats at FedExField unless the threat of COVID-19 spread diminishes.
Jones would not specify how many tickets the Cowboys will sell at the stadium, which has a seating capacity of 80,000 that can be expanded for special events. He said the team will follow regulations and protocols set by authorities in Texas and the NFL. BENGALS’ ROSS LEAVES
CAMP TO CARE FOR COVID-POSITIVE SON >> Wideout John Ross left Cincinnati
Bengals training camp to care for his son — who has tested positive for COVID-19 — in Los Angeles, according to multiple reports. NFL Network reported that the son’s mother also tested positive.
Ross was placed on the Bengals’ reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.
BILLS’ MCDERMOTT GETS EXTENSION >> The Buffalo Bills have signed coach Sean McDermott to a multiyear contract extension. The contract is reportedly a four-year extension that runs through the 2025 season. McDermott had two years remaining on his original deal.
The Bills have made the playoffs in two of McDermott’s three seasons in charge.
EAGLES’ PEDERSON BACK
AFTER BOUT WITH CORONAVIRUS >> Eagles coach Doug Pederson has returned to the team after missing less than two weeks because of the coronavirus.
Pederson said he stayed engaged with the team virtually and watched practices on video while quarantining at home.