The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be without their head coach on Sunday when they face the New York Jets.
The team revealed on Tuesday head coach Bruce Arians has tested positive for COVID-19.
“I tested positive for COVID-19 this morning but have only experienced mild symptoms to this point,” Arians said on the team’s website. “Harold Goodwin will take over my duties during my absence. I have complete confidence in him and the rest of our coaching staff to prepare the team for this week’s game against the Jets. I look forward to rejoining the team and being back in the facility as soon as I can test back in.”
Goodwin is the assistant head coach and run-game coordinator for the Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers also have Todd Bowles on staff as defensive coordinator and Byron Leftwich on the offensive side, too. Each has been mentioned prominently as potential candidates for any head-coaching openings.
In fact on Tuesday it was reported the Jacksonville Jaguars have asked permission to speak with both Bowles and Leftwich.
#Jaguars have also asked to speak to Todd Bowles, sources say. https://t.co/m9IIk0wYcx
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 28, 2021
Arians joins five players who are on the COVID-19 list: wide receiver Jaelon Darden, cornerback Jamel Dean, wide receiver Mike Evans, cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting and defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches.