Eagles head coach Doug Pederson tests positive for COVID-19

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson has tested positive for COVID-19.

The team made the announcement Sunday in a statement.

“We received confirmation this evening that head coach Doug Pederson tested positive for COVID-19,” the statement read. “Pederson is asymptomatic and doing well. He is currently in self-quarantine and in communication with the team’s medical staff. The organization is following the protocols established by the NFL and the NFLPA. Any individuals in close contact with Pederson at our facility have been notified and will continue daily testing procedures and compliance with all protocols before returning to the facility.”

Pederson has been doing well in isolation since his diagnosis and has urged his team to continue in the right direction in his absence.

“I told the team it’s not about one guy,” Pederson told ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio via text message Monday. “We are all in this together. Our goals don’t change.”

Before he can return to coaching, Pederson must test negative  for COVID  several times.

“This is our bubble right here at NovaCare. I can’t control everything. We can’t control everything,” Pederson said. “There probably are going to be some things that come up down the road, but right now, I feel extremely safe, and this is a great environment for our players to succeed in.”

Pederson is now the second head coach in the NFL to test positive. Saints coach Sean Payton also had a positive test a few months ago. As of now, the Eagles have appointed assistant head coach Duce Staley as interim head coach until Pederson is able to return.