John Benton, the 49ers' offensive line coach, has tested positive for COVID-19, the team announced on Sunday before their game against the Washington Football Team.
Benton will not attend Sunday's game and immediately went into self-quarantine. Contact tracing done by the team did not result in any players being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list as a close contact.
“The San Francisco 49ers today were informed that offensive line coach John Benton has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not attend today’s game," the 49ers said in a steam statement. "His duties will be absorbed by the offensive coaching staff.
"Benton immediately went into self-quarantine and the team conducted the appropriate contact tracing as part of the NFL’s intensive COVID-19 protocol. We will continue to communicate with the League and medical professionals and take the necessary precautions in the best interest of health and safety."
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Duties will be shared by offensive line assistant Chris Foerster, who was the offensive line coach for the 49ers during the 2008 and ’09 seasons, as well as 2015.
Foerster was a consultant for the 49ers the past two seasons and was hired as a game planning assistant this year. He coached Trent Williams from 2010 to 2014 in Washington when Kyle Shanahan was the offensive coordinator and his father Mike was the head coach.
The 49ers have not had any players on the reserve/COVID-19 list since prior to their Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
