The past week for the Atlanta Falcons has been defined by change. Not only did the Falcons part ways with head coach Dan Quinn after a disastrous 0-5 start to the season, but Atlanta also had to make changes with its roster of players and assistant coaches heading into their game against the Minnesota Vikings. 

This was after it was reported that two players and one assistant coach tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week. According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the big cluster of COVID was in Atlanta’s defensive line room, with defensive end John Cominsky testing positive for the virus and being placed in the reserve/COVID list. 

Defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi and assistant Jess Simpson, meanwhile, did not travel with the team for the game against the Vikings as a precaution. Pelissero said that the team took interim coach Raheem Morris’ words about “enforcing one’s will” not just on the field but against COVID-19 as well, as the team took extra precautions to avoid having more infections. 

For instance, the Falcons left behind their injured players as well as those who will be inactive against Minnesota, while also leaving two of their defensive coaches and having two planes for the trip. 

No new positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the NFL today, which means that the game between the Falcons and Vikings will continue. Atlanta, in its first game with Morris in charge, will look to secure its first win of the season against the Vikings, who are coming off a heartbreaking 27-26 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5.