Cardinals Coach Kliff Kingsbury is still out after testing positive for COVID-19, though the team hopes he’ll be able to coach on Sunday. Jae C. Hong/Associated Press
TEMPE, Ariz. — Linebacker Chandler Jones was back at the Arizona’s practice facility on Friday. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury was not.
The undefeated Cardinals are still sifting through COVID-19 issues as they prepare to face the Houston Texans on Sunday. Arizona’s trying to push to 7-0 for the first time since 1974.
Kingsbury, quarterbacks coach Cam Turner, Jones and defensive linemen Zach Allen and Corey Peters all missed last week’s 37-14 win over the Cleveland Browns after testing positive on the virus. So far, only Turner and Jones have returned.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said Kingsbury is “getting better by the day” and the team is still hoping he’d be cleared by Sunday. Joseph added that if Kingsbury’s not available, the Cardinals would go with a similar plan as last week’s game in Cleveland, where Joseph was in charge of the defense and assistant receivers coach Spencer Whipple called the offensive plays.
Kingsbury has been able to handle all the offensive meetings virtually from his home.
“The plan that we have on that side of the ball is Kliff’s plan, even with the virtual stuff,” Joseph said. “It’s like he’s in the room with us. Nothing’s changed from a prep standpoint.”
DOLPHINS: The story line has not changed over the last couple of months, nor did Miami Coach Brian Flores’ answer from when he was first asked about the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa months ago.
“Tua’s our quarterback,” Flores said.
That’s not in dispute – for now, at least.
The NFL trade deadline is about a week and a half away. And the calendar getting closer to Nov. 2 combined with Miami on a five-game losing streak means it was inevitable that the buzz suggesting that the Dolphins may be looking to acquire embattled Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson — who has been accused of sexual assault and harassment in lawsuits filed by 22 women, but not charged — would get louder.
The Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday, citing unnamed sources, that the Texans and Dolphins “have intensified their efforts to consummate” a deal for Watson, who has been seeking a trade since at least January. The lawsuits prompted investigations from the NFL and, according to an attorney representing the women suing Watson, the FBI, among others.
“We’re happy with the quarterback, our quarterback situation, and I’ll leave it at that,” Flores said. “Which is what I’ve said multiple times.”
TITANS: Left tackle Taylor Lewan will not play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday as he recovers from a concussion.
The Titans also declared that wide receiver Chester Rogers, who ranks second in the NFL averaging 13.3 yards per punt return, and linebacker Monty Rice won’t play.
Lewan was carted off the field Monday night in the Titans’ win over Buffalo. The three-time Pro Bowl tackle did not practice all week.
But Tennessee activated three-time Pro Bowl punter Brett Kern off the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.
FALCONS: Atlanta defensive end Dante Fowler was placed on injured reserve and will miss at least three games.
Fowler was initially ruled out of Sunday’s game at Miami with a knee injury. The team then said he was going on IR.
If healthy enough, he would be eligible to return to the active roster for the Nov. 14 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
It’s not clear when Fowler was injured. The Falcons were off last weekend after beating the New York Jets in London.
BEARS: Chicago placed veteran tight end Jimmy Graham on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
In his second season with the Bears, the five-time Pro Bowl selection has just one catch for 11 yards. He joins running back Damien Williams and linebacker Robert Quinn on the COVID list.
Williams missed last week’s loss to Green Bay, and Quinn – second on the team to Khalil Mack with 5 1/2 sacks – was placed on the list on Tuesday.
Mack (foot), defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (groin) and receiver Allen Robinson (ankle) practiced Friday on a limited basis. All three were listed as questionable for Sunday, when the Bears (3-3) visit Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Chicago ruled out safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (hip).
GIANTS: While New York will again be without star running back Saquon Barkley and playmaking receivers Kenny Golladay and exciting rookie Kadarius Toney, the offense is expected to get back wideout Darius Slayton.
Slayton, who led the team in yards receiving in his first two NFL seasons, has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury. He warmed up on Sunday for a game against the Rams but he didn’t get a jersey for the 38-11 loss that dropped New York to 1-5.
Barring a setback, Slayton is looking forward to playing against the Carolina Panthers (3-3) at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
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