NFL
Philadelphia Eagles coach Sirianni tests positive for covid-19
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has tested positive for covid-19, but is hopeful of returning in time for Sunday's Week 16 game against the New York Giants.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni tested positive for covid-19 on Wednesday, a day after his team’s Week 15 win over the Washington Football Team.
Sirianni "hopeful" he'll be back for Giants clash
Sirianni returned a positive test after feeling symptoms when he woke up on Wednesday, the Eagles said. The franchise added that the 40-year-old will continue to work remotely and is “hopeful to return by Sunday”, when Philadelphia face the New York Giants in Week 16.
If Sirianni is unable to be on the touchline against the Giants, passing game coordinator Kevin Patullo will take charge of the team at Lincoln Financial Field.
"I'm feeling OK" - Sirianni
"I'm feeling OK, I'm feeling a little bit better now, which is good," Sirianni said in a media update provided shortly after news of his positive test emerged.
It remains unclear whether Sirianni has been vaccinated, although the apparent optimism that he will be able to return this weekend suggests he has. If he is vaccinated, he needs to present no symptoms and return two negative tests before being allowed to leave the NFL’s covid-19 protocol.
After their 27-17 win over Washington on Tuesday, the Eagles moved to 7-7 and are currently eighth in the running for one of the seven NFC playoff spots.
Confirmation of Sirianni’s positive test came just a few hours after it was announced that New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh had contracted covid-19.