Colts head coach to miss start of training camp after positive COVID-19 test

Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich will miss the start of his team’s training camp after testing positive for COVID-19.

In a tweet on Monday, the NFL team shared that Reich will be in quarantine after testing positive for the virus. The Colts noted that Reich is fully vaccinated and is asymptomatic as well. 

“I’m excited for training camp, however, I’m disappointed I won’t be there with the team as we start,” Frank Reich said in a statement. “I’m fortunate to be fully vaccinated and I’m asymptomatic. I’m feeling well and I’m looking forward to returning as soon as I’m medically cleared.” 

The Colts general manager Chris Ballard told reporters that Reich’s test results came back positive last week, saying that three different assistant coaches will split head coaching duties while Reich away, according to The Associated Press.

“We’re not going to name an interim coach,” Ballard told reporters. “Bubba {Ventrone} has a little more time than some of the others, so we’ll split some things up.”

Reich’s positive test comes as the league’s commissioner office sent out a memo Thursday warning teams that they could forfeit games this season if they are unable to play due to outbreaks among players not vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Recently, assistant coach Rick Dennison left his position as offensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings, declining to get vaccinated. 

Reich, who led the Maryland Terrapins and the Buffalo Bills to famous historical comebacks as a quarterback during his playing career, is entering his fourth season as the Colts head coach, making the playoffs in 2018 and 2020.