Just hours before Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cincinnati Bengals announced three assistant coaches will not attend for "COVID-19-related reasons."
That includes linebackers coach Al Golden, secondary/cornerbacks coach Steve Jackson and senior defensive assistant Mark Duffner.
Defensive quality control coach Jordan Kovacs will step in for Golden, secondary/safeties coach Robert Livingston assumes Jackson’s responsibilities, and defensive assistant Gerald Chatman steps in for Duffner.
Short staffed: Three more #Bengals assistant coaches will miss today's game against the #Steelers because of COVID-19 reasons. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/PbEeGfeEOu
— Reggie Wilson (@ReggieWilsonTV) November 15, 2020
The Bengals confirmed Friday that wide receivers coach Bob Bicknell would not travel with the team to Pittsburgh, also “for COVID-19-related reasons.” Assistant wide receivers coach Troy Walters takes his place.
Practice squad cornerbacks Winston Rose and Brian Allen are also on the team's reserve COVID-19 list for Week 10. Ahead of their Week 9 bye, the Bengals placed linebacker Jordan Evans and cornerback Mackensie Alexander on the COVID-19 list, as well as lineman Fred Johnson, cornerback Trae Waynes and defensive tackle Margus Hunt.
Evans and Alexander were reactivated on Wednesday.
The Steelers cleared Ben Roethlisberger to play in Sunday's game. Per NFL's COVID-19 protocols, the 38-year-old quarteback spent a week in self-quarantine after he came in contact with tight end Vance McDonald, who tested positive for coronavirus.
Kickoff is at 4:25 p.m. Sunday.
