Report: 6 Saints assistants test positive for COVID-19

Six assistant coaches for the New Orleans Saints tested positive for COVID-19, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Saints have eight total cases, including a nutritionist and a player, Schefter reported Tuesday afternoon.

New Orleans placed wide receiver Michael Thomas on the team's reserve/COVID-19 list later in the day, according to ESPN's Field Yates.

Head coach Sean Payton said at the start of camp that his staff is 100% vaccinated, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.

New Orleans' NFC South matchup against the Carolina Panthers is expected to proceed as scheduled, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

The coaches' status for Sunday's game is in question, Schefter reports. A team source told Schefter, "We'll be just fine."

Due to the positive tests, the Saints are undergoing enhanced mitigation protocols, which include daily testing and mandatory masking for all players, coaches, and staff members regardless of vaccination status, Pelissero reports.

The Saints' outbreak is the franchise's latest setback. The team was forced to move its home opener to Jacksonville following the impact of Hurricane Ida. New Orleans won that contest 38-3 over the Green Bay Packers.